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Abstract Background Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are highly stable regulators, often accumulated in mammalian brains and thought to serve as “memory molecules” that govern the long process of aging. Mounting evidence demonstrated circRNA dysregulation in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients. However, whether and how circRNA dysregulation underlies AD progression remains unexplored. Methods We combined Poly(A)-tailing/RNase R digestion experimental approach with CARP, our published computational framework using pseudo-reference alignment for more sensitive and accurate circRNA detection to identify genome-wide circRNA dysregulation and their downstream pathways in the 5xFAD mouse cerebral cortex between 5 and 7 months of age, a critical window marks the transition from reversible to irreversible pathogenic progression. Dysregulated circRNAs and pathways associated with disease progression in 5xFAD cortex were systematically compared with circRNAs affected in postmortem subcortical areas of a large human AD cohort. A top-ranked circRNA conserved and commonly affected in AD patients and 5xFAD mice was depleted in cultured cells to examine AD-relevant molecular and cellular changes. Results We discovered genome-wide circRNA alterations specifically in 5xFAD cortex associated with AD progression, many of which are commonly dysregulated in the subcortical areas of AD patients. Among these circRNAs, circGigyf2 is highly conserved and showed the highest net reduction specifically in the 7-month 5xFAD cortex. CircGIGYF2 level in AD patients’ cortices negatively correlated with dementia severity. Mechanistically, we found multiple AD-affected splicing factors that are essential for circGigyf2 biogenesis. Functionally, we identified and experimentally validated the conserved roles of circGigyf2 in sponging AD-relevant miRNAs and AD-associated RNA binding proteins (RBPs), including the cleavage and polyadenylation factor 6 (CPSF6). Moreover, circGigyf2 downregulation in AD promoted silencing activities of its sponged miRNAs and enhanced polyadenylation site processing efficiency of CPSF6 targets. Furthermore, circGigyf2 depletion in a mouse neuronal cell line dysregulated circGigyf2-miRNA and circGigyf2-CPSF6 axes and potentiated apoptotic responses upon insults, which strongly support the causative roles of circGigyf2 deficiency in AD neurodegeneration. Conclusions Together, our results unveiled brain circRNAs associated with irreversible disease progression in an AD mouse model that is also affected in AD patients and identified novel molecular mechanisms underlying the dysregulation of conserved circRNA pathways contributing to AD pathogenesis.

Abstract Background To develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-based model using Radiomics, deep learning (DL) features extracted from 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) Positron emission tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) images of tumor and cervical lymph node with clinical feature for predicting cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods The study included 300 ESCC patients from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University who were divided into a training cohort and an internal testing cohort with an 8:2 ratio. Another 111 patients from Shanghai Chest Hospital were included as the external cohort. For each sample, we extracted 428 PET/CT-based Radiomics features from the gross tumor volume (GTV) and cervical lymph node (CLN) delineated layer by layer and 256 PET/CT-based DL features from the maximum cross-section of GTV and CLN images We input these features into seven different machine learning algorithms and ultimately selected logistic regression (LR) as the model classifier. Subsequently, we evaluated seven models (Clinical, Radiomics, Radiomics-Clinical, DL-Clinical, DL-Radiomics, DL-Radiomics-Clinical) using Radiomics features, DL features and clinical feature. Results The DL-Radiomics-Clinical (DRC) model demonstrated higher AUC of 0.955 and 0.916 compared to the other six models in both internal and external testing cohorts respectively. The DRC model achieved the highest accuracy among the seven models in both the internal and external test sets, with scores of 0.951 and 0.892, respectively. Conclusions Through the combination of Radiomics features and DL features from PET/CT imaging and clinical feature, we developed a predictive model exhibiting exceptional classification capabilities. This model can be considered as a non-invasive method for predication of CLNM in patients with ESCC. It might facilitate decision-making regarding to the extend of lymph node dissection, and to select candidates for postoperative adjuvant therapy.

Abstract The Zrt/Irt-like protein (ZIP) metal transporters are key players in maintaining the homeostasis of a panel of essential microelements. The prototypical ZIP from Bordetella bronchiseptica (BbZIP) is an elevator transporter, but how the metal substrate moves along the transport pathway and how the transporter changes conformation to allow alternating access remain to be elucidated. Here, we combine structural, biochemical, and computational approaches to investigate the process of metal substrate translocation along with the global structural rearrangement. Our study reveals an upward hinge motion of the transport domain in a high-resolution crystal structure of a cross-linked variant, elucidates the mechanisms of metal release from the transport site into the cytoplasm and activity regulation by a cytoplasmic metal-binding loop, and unravels an unusual elevator mode in enhanced sampling simulations that distinguishes BbZIP from other elevator transporters. This work provides important insights into the metal transport mechanism of the ZIP family.

Abstract Background Positive regulators of T-cell function (PTFRs), integral to T-cell proliferation and activation, have been identified as potential prognostic markers in colorectal cancer (CRC). Despite this, their role within the tumor microenvironment (TME) and their response to immunotherapy are not yet fully understood. Methods This study delved into PTFR-related CRC subtypes by analyzing four independent transcriptome datasets, emphasizing the most significant prognostic PTFRs. We identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between two subtypes and developed a PTFR risk model using LASSO and Cox regression methods. The model’s associations with survival time, clinical features, TME characteristics, tumor mutation profiles, microsatellite instability (MSI), cancer stem cell (CSC) index, and responses to chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy were subsequently explored. Results The PTFR risk model demonstrated a strong predictive capacity for CRC. It facilitated the estimation of immune cell composition, HLA expression levels, immune checkpoint expression, mutation burden, CSC index features, and the effectiveness of immunotherapy. Conclusions This study enhances our understanding of the role of PTFRs in CRC progression and introduces an innovative assessment framework for CRC immunotherapy. This framework improves the prediction of treatment outcomes and aids in the customization of therapeutic strategies.

The multi-seam occurrence conditions in the western mining area have brought forth prominent and common issues such as "contradictions in mining face layout, variable overburden structure, and superimposed surface migration". Exploring the coordinated green mining technology suitable for high-intensity mining of multiple coal seams is the key to the safe and efficient mining of multiple coal seams in the western mining area. In response to the main technical challenges faced in the high-intensity mining of shallow-buried thick coal seam groups, several key technologies for the coordinated green mining of shallow-buried multi-seam groups have been systematically expounded from aspects such as the spatio-temporal layout of multi-seam mining, the stability control of the rock strata in the working face, and the surface subsidence under repeated disturbances. The following research results have been obtained: ① The interlayer interaction mechanism of high-intensity mining of multiple coal seams in the western region has been revealed. A quantitative criterion and evaluation method for repeated mining disturbances of multiple coal seams have been constructed. An innovative coordinated mining technology with the staggered distribution of “thin, medium, and thick” coal seams aiming at minimizing inter layer disturbances has been proposed. ② The stability control technology of the rock strata in the multi-seam working face has been put forward. The full overburden structure failure model has been established, and the interaction law between the support and the surrounding rock under the condition of full overburden structure failure has been revealed. On this basis, in response to the demand of using different support strategies at different positions of the multi-seam mining working face, an anti-impact double telescopic column for the working face support and a monitoring system for the support state of the advanced roadway have been developed to achieve safe, efficient and stable support in multiple areas of the working face. ③ By revealing the dynamic movement characteristics of the surface and the development law of surface fractures under the oblique superimposed mining of shallow-buried multi-seam coal seams, the determination method of the surface subsidence coefficient has been given. The key treatment technology combining "soil reconstruction – in-situ filling – micro-topography modification" for fractures in the subsidence area has been developed, effectively preventing the surface subsidence of coal mining in the loess gully area. The above core technologies have been successfully applied in more than 20 large-scale coal mines such as Zhangjiamao, Ningtiaota, and Hongliulin, providing technical support for the high-quality and sustainable development of the western mining area in China.

Abstract Background Coronary artery thrombosis and myocardial ischemia caused by giant coronary aneurysms are the main causes of death in children with Kawasaki disease. The use of thrombolytic therapy in children with Kawasaki disease who have coronary thrombosis is a controversial topic, especially with respect to the timing of treatment. Case presentation In this article, we report a case of a child aged two years and nine months with Kawasaki disease whose coronary arteries had no involvement in the acute phase. However, by only one week after discharge, the patient returned because we found giant coronary aneurysms complicated by thrombosis via echocardiography. Despite aggressive thrombolytic therapy, the child developed myocardial ischemia during thrombolytic therapy. Fortunately, because of timely treatment, the child’s thrombus has dissolved, and the myocardial ischemia has resolved. Conclusions This case suggests that for patients at high risk of coronary artery aneurysms, echocardiography may need to be reviewed earlier. Low-molecular-weight heparin should be added to antagonize the early procoagulant effects of warfarin when warfarin therapy is initiated. In the case of first-detected coronary thrombosis, aggressive thrombolytic therapy may be justified, particularly during the acute and subacute phases of the disease course.

The bio-corrosion behavior and bio-compatibility of TiNbZrTa and TiNbZrTaMo high entropy alloys (HEAs) are crucial for their efficient maintenance during biological implantation. In this work, TiNbZrTa and TiNbZrTaMo HEAs were successfully prepared via vacuum melting, with a β-type titanium alloy Ti35Nb7Zr5Ta, exhibiting good biocompatibility used as a comparison. Due to the high entropy effect of equal atomic ratios, both TiNbZrTa and TiNbZrTaMo HEAs exhibit body-centered cubic (BCC) structure and lattice distortion compared to the β titanium alloy Ti35Nb7Zr5Ta. Mo elements contribute to the formation of a new BCC phase, resulting in a white matrix rich in Ta and Mo, and a dark second phase rich in Ti, Zr, and Nb. Electrochemical test results at 37 °C shown that TiNbZrTa has a wider and more stable passivation area than TiNbZrTaMo. The XPS results shown that formation of the passive film is related to the main elements added. Ti, Nb, Ta and Mo formed oxides via the solid-liquid interface and migrate inward, while Zr is formed at the passivation film/metal substrate interface and migrates outward, finally forming the layered structure of the passivation film. Additionally, the cytotoxicity test of mouse fiber cells was carried out to evaluate the biocompatibility of the HEAs. The results shown that the cell proliferation rate of TiNbZrTa and TiNbZrTaMo HEAs reached 0 and 1, respectively, with TiNbZrTa exhibiting better biocompatibility, as adding Mo reduced the cell proliferation rate. These findings may provide a method for predicting the bio-corrosion behavior and bio-compatibility of HEAs used for biological implantation.

Abstract Although the relationship between hypertension and hyperuricemia is widely recognized, there is still a relative lack of research on prehypertensive individuals and the individual associations of systolic and diastolic blood pressure with the risk of hyperuricemia. From 2011 to 2016, we conducted a study on 53,323 individuals at Wuhu City Hospital in China. Based on initial blood pressure readings, participants were categorized into normal, prehypertension, or hypertension groups. We used Cox regression to analyze the associations with baseline factors. In subgroup analyses, systolic and diastolic pressures were treated as continuous variables, and their relationship with the risk of hyperuricemia was examined using restricted cubic spline analysis. The risk increased in the prehypertension and hypertension groups compared to the normal blood pressure group, with hazard ratios of 1.192 and 1.350, respectively. For each unit increase in blood pressure, the risk of hyperuricemia rose by 0.8% (systolic) and 0.9% (diastolic), especially when blood pressure levels exceeded 115/78 mmHg. Additionally, we observed that factors such as gender, alcohol consumption habits, obesity, and dyslipidemia might further influence this association. These findings emphasize the importance of early risk assessment and intervention in these patient populations in clinical practice.

Abstract Objectives This retrospective study evaluated the individual benefits of tislelizumab and surgery, as well as their synergistic effect on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of stage II-III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Methods From September 2019 to June 2022, all participants with potentially resectable NSCLC who received chemotherapy (C) or tislelizumab plus chemotherapy (T) were included in the study. Participants were categorized into four groups based on surgery or not (S or NS) and the utilization of tislelizumab (T or C). Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated using the Kaplan–Meier method and log-rank test, as well as Cox proportional hazards models. Results Compared to C, T was associated with significantly higher objective response rate (64.54% vs. 34.78%, p = 0.003), higher pathological complete response rate (40.00% vs. 14.06%, p = 0.007), and higher major pathological response rate (60.00% vs. 20.31%, p

Abstract Recent advances in spatial transcriptomics (ST) techniques provide valuable insights into cellular interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, most analytical tools lack consideration of histological features and rely on matched single-cell RNA sequencing data, limiting their effectiveness in TME studies. To address this, we introduce the Morphology-Enhanced Spatial Transcriptome Analysis Integrator (METI), an end-to-end framework that maps cancer cells and TME components, stratifies cell types and states, and analyzes cell co-localization. By integrating spatial transcriptomics, cell morphology, and curated gene signatures, METI enhances our understanding of the molecular landscape and cellular interactions within the tissue. We evaluate the performance of METI on ST data generated from various tumor tissues, including gastric, lung, and bladder cancers, as well as premalignant tissues. We also conduct a quantitative comparison of METI with existing clustering and cell deconvolution tools, demonstrating METI’s robust and consistent performance.

The study of the hydro-chemical characteristics of burnt rock aquifers helps to distinguish the hydraulic connections between different aquifers. Taking Zhangjiamao Coal Mine in Shenfu Mining Area as an example, 29 groups of water samples were collected from weathered bedrock, bedrock, 2−2 coal burned rock and 3−1 coal burned rock aquifers, and the hydro-chemical characteristics and control factors in the study area were analyzed by comprehensive use of statistical analysis, Piper trilinear diagram, Gibbs model and hybrid model, and the source of main ions was determined, based on which the contact relationship of each aquifer was identified. The results indicated that the total dissolved solids (TDS) of the weathered bedrock and the 2−2 coal burnt rock aquifer were close, slightly lower than the TDS of the bedrock aquifer, while the TDS of the 3−1 coal burnt rock aquifer was the highest, showing a trend of gradually increasing TDS with the increase of aquifer depth. The cations in the weathered bedrock and the 2−2 coal burnt rock aquifer were mainly Ca2+, while the cations in the bedrock and 3−1 coal burnt rock aquifer were mainly Na+; the anions in the weathered bedrock, 2−2 coal burnt rock, and 3−1 coal burnt rock aquifers were mainly HCO3−, while the bedrock aquifers were mainly HCO3−, and SO42−. The hydro-chemical types of weathered bedrock, 2−2 coal burnt rock, and 3−1 coal burnt rock aquifers were mainly HCO3−Ca type, HCO3−Ca and HCO3−Ca·Mg type, HCO3−Ca and HCO3−Na·Mg type. The hydro-chemical composition of weathered bedrock and 2−2 coal burnt rock aquifer was mainly controlled by water rock interaction, while the hydro-chemical composition of bedrock and 3−1 coal burnt rock aquifer was mainly influenced by both water rock interaction and concentration. The main ions of 3−1 coal burned rock, bedrock, weathered bedrock and 2−2 coal burned rock aquifer were respectively from the dissolution of silicate rock salt, the dissolution of silicate rock and evaporite rock salt, and the weathering dissolution of silicate rock and carbonate rock salt. At the same time, the reverse cation exchange interaction effect occurred in the groundwater disasters of each aquifer. Multiple indicator results showed that the ion composition of the weathered bedrock and the aquifer of the 2−2 coal fired rock was similar, and there was a strong hydraulic connection. There may be a direct contact relationship locally, which is different from the ion composition of the aquifer of the 3−1 coal fired rock. There is a certain barrier layer between them, and the hydraulic connection between them is weak.

Abstract There is no consensus about whether relatively large mediastinal tumors (≥ 5.0 cm) are suitable for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Therefore, this study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of intercostal approach VATS for large-sized anterior mediastinal tumors (5.0–10.0 cm) with no invasion to the surrounding tissues and organs. A total of 129 patients with anterior mediastinal tumors who received surgery in our hospital between January 2018 and July 2022 were consecutively enrolled. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on mediastinal tumor diameter: Group A (tumor size between 1.0 and 4.9 cm) and Group B (tumor size between 5.0 and 10.0 cm). The primary endpoints were operation time, blood loss, and postoperative pain, and the secondary endpoints were the volume of drainage, drainage duration, postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative complications. Significant differences were found in the volume of drainage between the two groups (Group A: 218.4 ± 140.6, Group B: 398.9 ± 369.3, P 0.05). In addition, there existed no significant differences in the postoperative complications. Intercostal approach VATS is regarded as a feasible and safe surgical method for large-sized anterior mediastinal tumors (5.0–10.0 cm) with no invasion to the surrounding tissues and organs.

Abstract Background The ultrasonic scalpel is widely used during surgery. It is safe and effective to close the pulmonary artery branch vessels of 7 mm or below with an ultrasonic energy device as reported. However, there have been no multicenter randomized clinical trial to assess the safety and effectiveness of using ultrasonic scalpel to coagulate 5–7 mm blood vessels in thoracic surgery. Methods This is a prospective, multicenter, randomized, parallel controlled, non-inferiority clinical trial. A total of 144 eligible patients planning to undergo lung or esophageal surgery will be randomly allocated to the experimental group and the control group. The investigational product (Disposable Ultrasonic Shears manufactured by Reach Surgical, Inc.) and the control product (Harmonic Ace + 7, 5 mm Diameter Shears with Advanced Hemostasis) will be used in each group. The primary endpoint is the success rate of coagulating target blood vessels during surgery. Secondary endpoints include postoperative rebleeding, intraoperative bleeding volume, drainage volume, surgical duration, etc. Postoperative follow-up before and after discharge will be performed. Discussion This clinical trial aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of using the investigational product (Disposable Ultrasonic Shears manufactured by Reach Surgical, Inc.) and that of the control product (Harmonic Ace + 7, 5 mm Diameter Shears with Advanced Hemostasis) to coagulate 5–7 mm blood vessels in thoracic surgery. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06002737. The trial was prospectively registered on 16 August 2023, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06002737 .

Abstract Effective fault diagnosis and fault-tolerant control method for aeronautics electromechanical actuator is concerned in this paper. By borrowing the advantages of model-driven and data-driven methods, a fault tolerant nonsingular terminal sliding mode control method based on support vector machine (SVM) is proposed. A SVM is designed to estimate the fault by off-line learning from small sample data with solving convex quadratic programming method and is introduced into a high-gain observer, so as to improve the state estimation and fault detection accuracy when the fault occurs. The state estimation value of the observer is used for state reconfiguration. A novel nonsingular terminal sliding mode surface is designed, and Lyapunov theorem is used to derive a parameter adaptation law and a control law. It is guaranteed that the proposed controller can achieve asymptotical stability which is superior to many advanced fault-tolerant controllers. In addition, the parameter estimation also can help to diagnose the system faults because the faults can be reflected by the parameters variation. Extensive comparative simulation and experimental results illustrate the effectiveness and advancement of the proposed controller compared with several other main-stream controllers.

Renewable energy serves as an effective alternative to traditional fossil fuels, reducing reliance on energy imports from specific countries, thereby alleviating geopolitical risks and ensuring national energy security. The development and utilization of renewable energy have profound implications for the global energy consumption structure and geopolitical landscape. This paper utilizes time-series and panel data from 1990 to 2020 to examine the causal relationship between renewable energy consumption and geopolitical risks. Focusing primarily on the United States and the United Kingdom, a multivariate regression model was developed for empirical analysis, with a comparative analysis conducted against other Group of Seven (G7) member countries. Subsequent robustness checks were performed to further validate the model's robustness. Additionally, this study explores the role of military strength as a moderating variable in the relationship between renewable energy and geopolitics. Lastly, a vector autoregression model was constructed to analyze the dynamic relationships between renewable energy and related variables. The findings reveal that (1) consumption of clean renewable energies, such as solar, wind, and tidal energy, significantly reduces geopolitical risks in the United States and the United Kingdom, with differing empirical results for France, Canada, and Japan, interpreted according to their developmental contexts and (2) increased defense expenditure in the US and the UK significantly enhances the positive impact of renewable energy consumption on mitigating geopolitical risks. Utilizing renewable energy not only diversifies national energy options but also reduces reliance on fossil fuels and fosters international cooperation, thereby easing geopolitical tensions. This research enriches the literature on the relationship between renewable energy consumption and national energy security in key global nations and offers theoretical insights for the formulation and implementation of national energy development strategies in the new world development paradigm.

Abstract The mechanisms of anxiety disorders, the most common mental illness, remain incompletely characterized. The ventral hippocampus (vHPC) is critical for the expression of anxiety. However, current studies primarily focus on vHPC neurons, leaving the role for vHPC astrocytes in anxiety largely unexplored. Here, genetically encoded Ca2+ indicator GCaMP6m and in vivo fiber photometry calcium imaging are used to label vHPC astrocytes and monitor their activity, respectively, genetic and chemogenetic approaches to inhibit and activate vHPC astrocytes, respectively, patch‐clamp recordings to measure glutamate currents, and behavioral assays to assess anxiety‐like behaviors. It is found that vHPC astrocytic activity is increased in anxiogenic environments and by 3‐d subacute restraint stress (SRS), a well‐validated mouse model of anxiety disorders. Genetic inhibition of vHPC astrocytes exerts anxiolytic effects on both innate and SRS‐induced anxiety‐related behaviors, whereas hM3Dq‐mediated chemogenetic or SRS‐induced activation of vHPC astrocytes enhances anxiety‐like behaviors, which are reversed by intra‐vHPC application of the ionotropic glutamate N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor antagonists. Furthermore, intra‐vHPC or systemic application of the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor antagonist memantine, a U.S. FDA‐approved drug for Alzheimer's disease, fully rescues SRS‐induced anxiety‐like behaviors. The findings highlight vHPC astrocytes as critical regulators of stress and anxiety and as potential therapeutic targets for anxiety and anxiety‐related disorders.

The Chazangcuo copper-lead-zinc deposit (hereafter referred to as the Chazangcuo deposit) is situated in the northern portion of the western section of the Gangdese polymetallic metallogenic belt in Tibet, with ore bodies strictly governed by Linzizong Group magmatic rocks and EW-trending faults. This study aims to ascertain the mineralization periods, sources of ore-forming materials, metallogenic physicochemical conditions, and genesis of this deposit. Based on comprehensive field geological surveys, sampling, and microscopic examination of petrological and mineralogical characteristics, we perform qualitative and quantitative geochemical analyses of major elements, trace elements, and rare earth elements (REEs), fluid inclusions, and sulfur and lead isotopes. The findings reveal that the mineralization process of the Chazangcuo deposit can be divided into three periods and four stages: the magmatic-hydrothermal, hydrothermal, and supergene mineralization periods sequentially, which consist of the mineralization stages of quartz-pyrite-sphalerite, medium-low-temperature hydrothermal sulfides, chlorite-carbonate minerals, and supergene oxidation in a chronological order. The ore-forming fluids prove to be medium-low-temperature low-density fluids, and the ore-forming materials are characteristic of upper crustal-derived materials. The ore-forming environment is a medium-low mineralization temperature, a shallow and weakly reducing environment. Overall, the Chazangcuo deposit is identified as a medium-low-temperature magmatic-hydrothermal deposit. The metallogenic model has the vertical zoning characteristics of lead-zinc in the upper part and copper in the lower part.

Barth syndrome (BTHS) is a rare X-linked recessive genetic disorder characterized by a broad spectrum of clinical features including cardiomyopathy, skeletal myopathy, neutropenia, growth delay, and 3-methylglutaconic aciduria. This disease is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the TAFAZZIN gene located on chromosome Xq28, resulting in cardiolipin deficiency. Most patients are diagnosed in childhood, and the mortality rate is highest in the early years. We report a case of acute, life-threatening metabolic decompensation occurring one day after birth. A novel TAFAZZIN splice site mutation was identified in the patient, marking the first reported case of such a mutation in BTHS identified in China. The report aims to expand our understanding of the spectrum of TAFAZZIN mutations in BTHS.

Abstract Background Yield and quality are the two most important traits in crop breeding. Exploring the regulatory mechanisms that affect both yield and quality traits is of great significance for understanding the molecular genetic networks controlling these key crop attributes. Expansins are cell wall loosening proteins that play important roles in regulating rice grain size. Results We investigated the effect of OsEXPA7, encoding an expansin, on rice grain size and quality. OsEXPA7 overexpression resulted in increased plant height, panicle length, grain length, and thousand-grain weight in rice. OsEXPA7 overexpression also affected gel consistency and amylose content in rice grains, thus affecting rice quality. Subcellular localization and tissue expression analyses showed that OsEXPA7 is localized on the cell wall and is highly expressed in the panicle. Hormone treatment experiments revealed that OsEXPA7 expression mainly responds to methyl jasmonate, brassinolide, and gibberellin. Transcriptome analysis and RT-qPCR experiments showed that overexpression of OsEXPA7 affects the expression of OsJAZs in the jasmonic acid pathway and BZR1 and GE in the brassinosteroid pathway. In addition, OsEXPA7 regulates the expression of key quantitative trait loci related to yield traits, as well as regulates the expression levels of BIP1 and bZIP50 involved in the seed storage protein biosynthesis pathway. Conclusions These results reveal that OsEXPA7 positively regulates rice yield traits and negatively regulates grain quality traits by involving plant hormone pathways and other trait-related pathway genes. These findings increase our understanding of the potential mechanism of expansins in regulating rice yield and quality traits and will be useful for breeding high-yielding and high-quality rice cultivars.

Abstract Background Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) studies aim to understand the influence of genetic variants on gene expression. The colocalization of eQTL mapping and GWAS strategy could help identify essential candidate genes and causal DNA variants vital to complex traits in human and many farm animals. However, eQTL mapping has not been conducted in ducks. It is desirable to know whether eQTLs within GWAS signals contributed to duck economic traits. Results In this study, we conducted an eQTL analysis using publicly available RNA sequencing data from 820 samples, focusing on liver, muscle, blood, adipose, ovary, spleen, and lung tissues. We identified 113,374 cis-eQTLs for 12,266 genes, a substantial fraction 39.1% of which were discovered in at least two tissues. The cis-eQTLs of blood were less conserved across tissues, while cis-eQTLs from any tissue exhibit a strong sharing pattern to liver tissue. Colocalization between cis-eQTLs and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of 50 traits uncovered new associations between gene expression and potential loci influencing growth and carcass traits. SRSF4, GSS, and IGF2BP1 in liver, NDUFC2 in muscle, ELF3 in adipose, and RUNDC1 in blood could serve as the candidate genes for duck growth and carcass traits. Conclusions Our findings highlight substantial differences in genetic regulation of gene expression across duck primary tissues, shedding light on potential mechanisms through which candidate genes may impact growth and carcass traits. Furthermore, this availability of eQTL data offers a valuable resource for deciphering further genetic association signals that may arise from ongoing extensive endeavors aimed at enhancing duck production traits.

In the past ten years, the coal mining operation in the northern part of the Ordos Basin has been frequently threatened by the groundwater of the Zhiluo Formation, and even some water inrush accidents have occurred. In the area, the mines with the groundwater of the Zhiluo Formation as water source are distributed continuously, and are closely related to the paleochannel sand bodies of the Zhiluo Formation. In order to explain the mine water inflow model in the distribution area of the paleochannel sand bodies of the Zhiluo Formation in the southern area of Shenfu, on the basis of the study of the spatial distribution of paleochannel sand bodies in the Zhiluo Formation and their control effect on groundwater occurrence, the relationship between the paleochannel sand bodies and the mine water inflow in the Zhiluo Formation was analyzed from the scale of the study area, the scale of the well field and the scale of the working face, and the mine water inflow model under the paleochannel sand bodies of the Zhiluo Formation was proposed. The results show that the paleochannel scouring zone of the Zhiluo Formation in the southern area of Shenfu is developed along the line of Hongyannao-Erlintu-Jinjie, and the fifth member of the Yan’an Formation in the erosion zone is almost completely eroded, and the fourth member of the Yan’an Formation is also scoured in some areas. According to the analysis of the sand dispersion system and the development characteristics of the aquifer rock group, the paleochannel sand bodies filled and deposited in the scouring zone are divided into three grades. The water-richness of the paleochannel sand bodies of the Zhiluo Formation is mainly controlled by the scale, physical characteristics and weathering of the sand body, and the water-richness of the first-order sand body (main channel) is stronger than that of the second-class sand body (branch channel) and the third-order sand body (delta bay and tributary bay), and its water richness will be further enhanced when the sand body is weathered. Based on the analysis of the relationship between sand body classification, weathered sand body thickness and mine water inflow at different scales, three water inflow modes of production mines under paleochannel sand bodies in the eastern part of the study area were proposed. The strong water inrush mode is mainly located in the distribution area of the first-class sand body, and the thickness of the weathered sand body is generally ≥ 30 m. Medium water inrush mode is mainly located at the edge of the primary sand body or secondary sand body area, the thickness of the weathered sand body is generally 10−30 m. The weak water inrush mode is mainly located in the tertiary sand body area, and the thickness of the weathered sand body is generally < 10 m.

Abstract Until now, there are still few comparisons between neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy and chemotherapy as first-line treatment for patients with stage IB-IIIB lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). In addition, the ability of pathologic response to predict long-term survival has still not been established. In this retrospective, controlled clinical trial, we ultimately enrolled 231 patients with stage IB to IIIB LUSC who received 2–4 cycles perioperative immunochemotherapy or chemotherapy alone, followed by resection. The primary endpoint of this study was pathological response. Secondary endpoints were disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), surgical resection rate and adverse events (AEs). The rates of major pathologic response (MPR) and pathologic complete response (pCR) in the immunochemotherapy group were 66.7% and 41.9%, respectively, which were both higher than that in the other group (MPR: 25.0%, pCR: 20.8%) (P

Abstract Proton‐exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) and water electrolysis (PEMWE) are rapidly developing hydrogen energy conversion devices. Catalyst layers and membranes have been studied extensively and reviewed. However, few studies have compared gas diffusion layers (GDLs) in PEMWE and PEMFC. This review compares the differences and similarities between the GDLs of PEMWE and PEMFC in terms of their material and mass transport characteristics. First, the GDL materials are selected based on their working conditions. Carbon materials are prone to rapid corrosion because of the high anode potential of PEMWEs. Consequently, metal materials have emerged as the primary choice for GDLs. Second, the mutual counter‐reactions of the two devices result in differences in mass transport limitations. In particular, water flooding and the effects of bubbles are major drawbacks of PEMFCs and PEMWE, respectively; well‐designed structures can solve these problems. Imaging techniques and simulations can provide a better understanding of the effects of materials and structures on mass transfer. Finally, it is anticipated that this review will assist research on GDLs of PEMWE and PEMFC.

ABSTRACT: Ultrasound-induced egg white fluidic gels (UEFG) were prepared through ultrasonic pretreatment followed by subsequent heating. The optimal preparation parameters for UEFG were: ultrasonic power density between 0.2 to 0.8 W/mL, ultrasonic treatment time surpassing 150 s, heating temperature within 70 to 76°C, and heating time under 16 min. The prepared UEFG is a milky white solution with a viscosity lower than that of fresh egg white, and displayed a particle size distribution primarily between 100 and 1,200 nm. Stability assessments conducted over 28 d at 4°C revealed that UEFG remained stable at pH 6-10, with exceptional stability from pH 8 to 10, while it is less stable in highly acidic (pH 2-4) or basic environments (pH 12). The UEFG also showed commendable stability in the presence of salt and sucrose solutions. We report a simple and novel method for preparing UEFG with good flowability after heating treatment. The UEFG has broad applications in the food industry, such as precooked egg white powder, high protein beverages, composite dairy products, etc.

Summary: Biofilm formation plays a significant role in antibiotic resistance, necessitating the search for alternative therapies against biofilm-associated infections. This study demonstrates that 20 μg/mL tryptanthrin can hinder biofilm formation above 50% in various A. baumannii strains. Tryptanthrin impacts various stages of biofilm formation, including the inhibition of surface motility and eDNA release in A. baumannii, as well as an increase in its sensitivity to H202. RT-qPCR analysis reveals that tryptanthrin significantly decreases the expression of the following genes: abaI (19.07%), abaR (33.47%), bfmR (43.41%), csuA/B (64.16%), csuE (50.20%), ompA (67.93%), and katE (72.53%), which are related to biofilm formation and quorum sensing. Furthermore, tryptanthrin is relatively safe and can reduce the virulence of A. baumannii in a Galleria mellonella infection model. Overall, our study demonstrates the potential of tryptanthrin in controlling biofilm formation and virulence of A. baumannii by disrupting different stages of biofilm formation and intercellular signaling communication.

The 5G network for urban grid road scenes has entered a new stage of refined operation and maintenance.The main contradiction has also shifted from insufficient coverage to severe overlapping coverage of some road sections.5G overlapping coverage will have a significant impact on users’ basic services such as internet access and voice.The optimization of traditional road overlapping coverage has many problems, such as inconsistent standards, recurring problems, and low work efficiency.The concept of overlapping coverage contribution was proposed, and an algorithm for root cause analysis of overlapping coverage was designed based on expert experience.An IT platform for optimizing overlapping coverage problems was also developed.The practice has proven that this method can effectively reduce the 5G overlapping coverage rate of urban grid roads, help enterprises save network optimization costs, and truly achieve the goal of cost reduction and efficiency increase.

This paper presents an X-in-Loop test platform designed for the Proof-of-Concept testing of intelligent braking ECPBS in commercial vehicle. Firstly, the concept of intelligent braking is introduced, outlining its research scope and defining the necessary test requirements for the proof of concept. Based on these experimental criteria, the composition and operational principles of the Proof-of-Concept experimental platform are developed in accordance with X-in-Loop testing methodologies. The various subsystems and functionalities of the X-in-Loop Proof-of-Concept test platform are subsequently detailed. The working principle of the X-in-Loop Proof-of-Concept test platform is thoroughly explained using a loop example, and its workflow is presented. Finally, the platform’s fundamental functionalities are validated through a vehicle braking test conducted under specific working conditions, followed by an analysis of its potential applications.

Abstract The unequal distribution of medical resources and scarcity of experienced practitioners confine access to bronchoscopy primarily to well-equipped hospitals in developed regions, contributing to the unavailability of bronchoscopic services in underdeveloped areas. Here, we present an artificial intelligence (AI) co-pilot bronchoscope robot that empowers novice doctors to conduct lung examinations as safely and adeptly as experienced colleagues. The system features a user-friendly, plug-and-play catheter, devised for robot-assisted steering, facilitating access to bronchi beyond the fifth generation in average adult patients. Drawing upon historical bronchoscopic videos and expert imitation, our AI–human shared control algorithm enables novice doctors to achieve safe steering in the lung, mitigating misoperations. Both in vitro and in vivo results underscore that our system equips novice doctors with the skills to perform lung examinations as expertly as seasoned practitioners. This study offers innovative strategies to address the pressing issue of medical resource disparities through AI assistance.

Abstract Background While dyslipidemia has been recognized as a potential risk factor for hyperuricemia, there is currently a dearth of large-scale data specifically focused on studying the relationship between these two conditions. To address this gap, the present study analyzed a dataset of 298,891 physical examination records to investigate in greater detail the clinical classification and compositional relationship between hyperuricemia and dyslipidemia. Methods For this investigation, a cross-sectional research design was utilized to analyze physical examination data that was gathered from Yijishan Hospital in Wuhu, China between 2011 and 2016. Logistic regression was employed to examine the association between hyperuricemia and dyslipidemia. Furthermore, the association between hyperuricemia and dyslipidemia was evaluated based on the clinical classifications of dyslipidemia and its components. Results A total of 298,891 participants from China (124,886 [41.8%] females) were included in the study, with an age range of 18 to 90 years (mean [SD]: 47.76 [13.54] years). In multivariate analysis, the odds of hyperuricemia was 1.878 times higher in patients with dyslipidemia compared to those without dyslipidemia (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.835–1.922). In the clinical classification of dyslipidemia, individuals with hypertriglyceridemia and mixed hyperlipidemia had 1.753 times (95% CI: 1.706–1.802) and 1.925 times (95% CI: 1.870–1.982) higher odds of hyperuricemia, respectively, compared to those without dyslipidemia. Among the components of dyslipidemia, the odds ratios for hyperuricemia in individuals in the fourth quartile compared to those in the first quartile were 3.744 (95% CI: 3.636–3.918) for triglycerides, 1.518 (95% CI: 1.471–1.565) for total cholesterol, and 1.775 (95% CI: 1.718 − 1.833) for non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Conclusions Dyslipidemia has been independently linked with hyperuricemia. Moreover, the elevation of triglycerides or total cholesterol levels, including conditions such as hypertriglyceridemia and mixed hyperlipidemia, have been observed to have a positive association with the development of hyperuricemia.

CO gas is often used as an effective indicator gas for the prediction and early warning of coal spontaneous combustion, but the causes for the rapid decrease or even disappearance of CO after the closing of spontaneous combustion in goaf are not clear, which affects the accurate determination of the coal spontaneous combustion degree. In order to study the adsorption/desorption characteristics of CO gas in coal, the pore structure of coal samples was determined by pressured-mercury testing and liquid N2 adsorption experiment. The effects of coal samples with different particle sizes on CO gas adsorption/desorption characteristics were investigated at 303.15-333.15 K and 0.15-0.50 MPa by using a self-developed gas adsorption/desorption device, and the adsorption rate and desorption hysteresis effect of CO gas were analyzed in depth. The results showed that the pore volume of non-cohesive coal sample from Lingxin Mine was mainly large pores and transition pores, accounting for 33.02% and 38.26%, respectively. The pore specific surface area was mainly micropores and transition pores, accounting for 97.73%. With the diminishment of particle size, the proportion of micropore volume increased, and the proportion of transition pore and mesopore decreased. The adsorption amount of CO gas on coal samples with varing particle sizes increased with the rising of pressure. When the pressure was constant, the adsorption amount of CO gas decreased with the rising of temperature. Under the identical temperature and pressure conditions, the smaller the sample particle size was, the larger the CO gas adsorption amount was; at the same temperature, the saturated adsorption capacity of coal for CO was positively correlated with particle size. In the process of CO desorption, the saturated adsorption capacity increased with decreasing particle size. The CO adsorption rate of coal samples could be divided into three stages: rapid rising period (0-750 s), slow rising period (750-2 250 s), and saturated equilibrium period (2 250-3 600 s). The CO gas desorption hysteresis with varing sample particle sizes decreased with the rising of temperature. At the identical temperature, the smaller the sample particle size was, the smaller the desorption hysteresis of CO gas was, and the easier it was to reach the equilibrium state of adsorption/desorption.

At present 1D inversion is commonly used for data processing and interpretation of transient electromagnetic (TEM) method. It is important to study the resolution-capability for the thin layer to take better advantage of ground-based loop-source TEM method. In this study, we employ 1D Occam's inversion method to qualitatively and quantitatively study the resolution capability for a thin layer. The thin layer has low resistivity, and its thickness is 10 m. The buried depth ranges from 10 to 100 m with 10 m intervals. The numerical modeling results show that the inverted resistivity and thickness will more coincide with the true values of the thin layer if the differences of resistivity between the thin layer and background medium increase. The depth of the inverted minimum resistivity agrees with the position of the low-resistivity thin layer. For background resistivity less than 100 Ω·m, the maximum depths are 40, 50 and 80 m for ratios of 1:5, 1:10 and 1:20 between the resistivities of the thin layer and the background medium, respectively. The maximum depth indicates the one within which the thin layer can be well detected by TEM methods. For the background resistivity of 200 Ω·m, the corresponding maximum depths are 30, 30 and 60 m. This study will help to optimize the field-work parameter designing and to improve the accuracy of data processing and interpretation.

Abstract Panax ginseng is an important medicinal plant, and ginsenosides are the main bioactive molecules of ginseng. The TCP (TBI, CYC, PCF) family is a group of transcription factors (TFs) that play an important role in plant growth and development, hormone signalling and synthesis of secondary metabolites. In our study, 78 PgTCP transcripts were identified from the established ginseng transcriptome database. A phylogenetic tree analysis showed that the 67 PgTCP transcripts with complete open reading frames were classified into three subfamilies, including CIN, PCF, and CYC/TB1. Protein structure analysis showed that PgTCP genes had bHLH structures. Chromosomal localization analysis showed that 63 PgTCP genes were localized on 17 of the 24 chromosomes of the Chinese ginseng genome. Expression pattern analysis showed that PgTCP genes differed among different lineages and were spatiotemporally specific. Coexpression network analysis indicated that PgTCP genes were coexpressed and involved in plant activities or metabolic regulation in ginseng. The expression levels of PgTCP genes from class I (PCF) were significantly downregulated, while the expression levels of PgTCP genes from class II (CIN and CYC/TB1) were upregulated, suggesting that TCP genes may be involved in the regulation of secondary metabolism in ginseng. As the PgTCP26-02 gene was found to be related to ginsenoside synthesis, its predicted protein structure and expression pattern were further analysed. Our results provide new insights into the origin, differentiation, evolution and function of the PgTCP gene family in ginseng, as well as the regulation of plant secondary metabolism.

Abstract Ionogels are crosslinked networks—typically polymeric networks—swollen with ionic liquids. The unique properties of ionogels, such as nonvolatility, ionic conductivity, nonflammability, and high thermal and electrochemical stability, make them promising for a variety of applications. Examples include sensors, adhesives, energy storage devices, and ionotronics. While many ionogels require complex syntheses and suffer from poor mechanical properties, simpler strategies are emerging to produce tough ionogels, thereby improving the durability, enabling 3D printing, and broadening the application space of ionogels. This perspective highlights promising applications and future opportunities of ionogels.

ABSTRACTThe effects of microbial contamination on the rancidity of Huangjiu (Chinese rice wine) during pottery jar storage were studied. With the increase in the rancidity of Huangjiu, the alcohol content decreased, while the conductivity increased significantly. The sour taste and umami taste of Huangjiu increased, leading to flavor deterioration. Meanwhile, the increase in biogenic amine content makes Huangjiu unfit for drinking. The changes in components showed that the degree of rancidity was related to the metabolism of organic acids and amino acids caused by contaminated microorganisms. According to the analysis of microbial community structure, more microorganisms were found in the severe rancid Huangjiu. This indicated that with the aggravation of the degree of rancidity, the community structure of the contaminated microorganisms becomes complex, and potentially pathogenic microorganisms such as Arcobacter species were detected. Therefore, the change of components of Huangjiu will also affect the community structure of contaminated microorganisms.

Remote-sensing images typically feature large dimensions and contain repeated texture patterns. To effectively capture finer details and encode comprehensive information, feature-extraction networks with larger receptive fields are essential for remote-sensing image super-resolution tasks. However, mainstream methods based on stacked Transformer modules suffer from limited receptive fields due to fixed window sizes, impairing long-range dependency capture and fine-grained texture reconstruction. In this paper, we propose a spatial-frequency joint attention network based on multi-window fusion (MWSFA). Specifically, our approach introduces a multi-window fusion strategy, which merges windows with similar textures to allow self-attention mechanisms to capture long-range dependencies effectively, therefore expanding the receptive field of the feature extractor. Additionally, we incorporate a frequency-domain self-attention branch in parallel with the original Transformer architecture. This branch leverages the global characteristics of the frequency domain to further extend the receptive field, enabling more comprehensive self-attention calculations across different frequency bands and better utilization of consistent frequency information. Extensive experiments on both synthetic and real remote-sensing datasets demonstrate that our method achieves superior visual reconstruction effects and higher evaluation metrics compared to other super-resolution methods.

Vegetation exerts a significant cooling effect, particularly during the hot summer; however, the spatial scale effects and gender difference among occupants’ subjective thermal comfort remain elusive. Developing a comprehensive model to elucidate the multidimensional relationship between green spaces and thermal experience holds paramount importance. Taking Longzi River Park in Zhengzhou city as a case study, this research examined the influence of vegetation on thermal experience by using structural equation modeling (SEM) from perspectives of fitting scale and gender disparities. It was found that (1) The vegetation environment not only influences thermal sensation, comfort and demand independently, but also influences the pathway between them. These influence paths constitute a complex causal network, functioning as a framework of “sensation → comfort → demand” and its influencing factors. (2) There exists a scaling effect in the pathway framework, which conforms to a threshold of 10 m for the inner radius and 30 m for the outer radius. The goodness of SEM model fit declines with the increase in either the inner radius or the outer radius, or both. (3) Differences in genders are exhibited for the pathway framework, with the vegetation exerting a stronger influence on female sensation and comfort, as well as male demand. The pathway from sensation to comfort to demand is more pronounced in male populations. The research findings contribute to the development of improved and sustainable vegetation distribution in urban parks.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurological disorder, with two main pathological hallmarks of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles accumulated of abnormally phosphorylated Tau. Ginkgolic acid (GA), as an inhibitor of SUMO-1, exhibits many biological activities, including neuroprotective effects. However, the efficacy of GA in AD treatment has not been sufficiently investigated. Therefore, the current study aimed to explore the function and the underlying molecular mechanisms of GA related to AD. Our study revealed that GA exerted protective effects on cognitive impairment of an Aβ-induced AD rat model, and suppressed the neuronal apoptosis and oxidative stress induced by Aβ1-42 both in vivo and in vitro. Of crucial importance, GA significantly inhibited Tau phosphorylation, and blocked the activation of the SUMO-1/GSK3β signaling pathway. Taken together, these observations demonstrated that GA improved cognitive ability and inhibited Tau phosphorylation through SUMO1/GSK3β pathway, indicating that GA is a potential drug for the preventing and treatment of AD.

ABSTRACT: Chicken egg chalaza (CLZ) is a natural colloidal structure in eggs that exists as an egg yolk stabilizer and is similar in composition to egg white. In this study, the proteome, phosphoproteome, and N-glycoproteome of CLZ were characterized in depth. We hydrolyzed the CLZ proteins and enriched the phosphopeptides and glycopeptides. We identified 45 phosphoproteins and 80 N-glycoproteins, containing 59 phosphosites and 203 N-glycosylation sites, respectively. Typically, the ovalbumin in CLZ was both phosphorylated and N-glycosylated, with 4 phosphosites and 4 N-glycosylation sites. Moreover, we identified 2 N-glycosylated subunits of ovomucin, mucin-5B and mucin-6, with 32 and nine N- glycosylation sites, respectively. Analysis of the phosphorylation and N-glycosylation status of CLZ proteins could provide novel insights into the structural and functional characteristics of CLZ.

This paper discusses the embodiment of Chinese life philosophy in Chinese traditional music education and emphasizes its important enlightenment to traditional music education. The innovation point lies in the in-depth study of the lack of reflection on Chinese philosophy of life in traditional music education. It puts forward how to integrate the principles of life philosophy, such as “harmony, Qi and imagery”, into the specific process of music education. The specific process includes discussing the basic concepts of music education in ancient China and exploring the application of life philosophy to music aesthetics. Through the philosophical embodiment of Chinese life philosophy, such as “harmony between heaven and man” and interactive trauma, this paper emphasizes the philosophical aspects of traditional music education, as well as the “harmony” and “imagery” in music aesthetics. Finally, this paper summarizes the importance of life philosophy in Chinese traditional music education, and discusses its potential value and enlightenment to traditional music education.

Maize leaf diseases significantly impact yield and quality. However, recognizing these diseases from images taken in natural environments is challenging due to complex backgrounds and high similarity of disease spots between classes.This study proposes a lightweight multi-level attention fusion network (LFMNet) which can identify maize leaf diseases with high similarity in natural environment. The main components of LFMNet are PMFFM and MAttion blocks, with three key improvements relative to existing essential blocks. First, it improves the adaptability to the change of maize leaf disease scale through the dense connection of partial convolution with different expansion rates and reduces the parameters at the same time. The second improvement is that it replaces a adaptable pooling kernel according to the size of the input feature map on the original PPA, and the convolution layer to reshape to enhance the feature extraction of maize leaves under complex background. The third improvement is that it replaces different pooling kernels to obtain features of different scales based on GMDC and generate feature weighting matrix to enhance important regional features. Experimental results show that the accuracy of the LFMNet model on the test dataset reaches 94.12%, which is better than the existing heavyweight networks, such as ResNet50 and Inception v3, and lightweight networks such as DenseNet 121,MobileNet(V3-large) and ShuffleNet V2. The number of parameters is only 0.88m, which is better than the current mainstream lightweight network. It is also effective to identify the disease types with similar disease spots in leaves.

Summary: Background: An intronic GAA repeat expansion in FGF14 was recently identified as a cause of GAA-FGF14 ataxia. We aimed to characterise the frequency and phenotypic profile of GAA-FGF14 ataxia in a large Chinese ataxia cohort. Methods: A total of 1216 patients that included 399 typical late-onset cerebellar ataxia (LOCA), 290 early-onset cerebellar ataxia (EOCA), and 527 multiple system atrophy with predominant cerebellar ataxia (MSA-c) were enrolled. Long-range and repeat-primed PCR were performed to screen for GAA expansions in FGF14. Targeted long-read and whole-genome sequencing were performed to determine repeat size and sequence configuration. A multi-modal study including clinical assessment, MRI, and neurofilament light chain was conducted for disease assessment. Findings: 17 GAA-FGF14 positive patients with a (GAA)≥250 expansion (12 patients with a GAA-pure expansion, five patients with a (GAA)≥250-[(GAA)n (GCA)m]z expansion) and two possible patients with biallelic (GAA)202/222 alleles were identified. The clinical phenotypes of the 19 positive and possible positive cases covered LOCA phenotype, EOCA phenotype and MSA-c phenotype. Five of six patients with EOCA phenotype were found to have another genetic disorder. The NfL levels of patients with EOCA and MSA-c phenotypes were significantly higher than patients with LOCA phenotype and age-matched controls (p

As human demand for energy continues to grow, energy security has become an important research topic for national economic and social development. As the country with the highest energy demand and import in the world, China needs to ensure its energy import security in a personal way. Against this research background, this paper investigates the causal relationship between bilateral political relations and China's energy import security. This research selected HS 6-digit percentile trade data from 47 energy-exporting countries engaged in energy trade with China from 2000 to 2020. A trade gravity model was constructed to examine the impact of bilateral political relations on China's energy import security. Multiple empirical analyses were conducted using the PPMLHDFE method to investigate various aspects of the relationship. The research shows that: (1) Bilateral political relations can significantly affect China's energy trade imports. (2) The regional security situation of exporting countries and the signing of free trade agreements with China play a moderating role between bilateral political relations and energy imports. (3) In the heterogeneity analysis, the influence of bilateral political relations on China's energy trade has obvious stage characteristics, and the influence of bilateral political relations on China's energy trade is stronger in countries and regions along the Belt and Road Initiative, and there is a certain path-dependent type of China's energy imports.

Objective: This trial aimed to identify the Minimum Effective Concentration (MEC90, defined as the concentration which can provide successful block in 90% of patients) of 30 mL ropivacaine for single-shot ultrasound-guided transmuscular Quadratus Lumborum Block (QLB) in patients undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA). Methods: A double-blind, randomized dose-finding study using the biased coin design up-and-down sequential method, where the concentration of local anesthetic administered to each patient depended on the response from the previous one. Block success was defined as a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) score during motion ≤ 3 at 6 hours after arrival in the ward. If the block was successful, the next subject received either a 0.025% smaller dose (probability of 0.11) or the same dose (probability of 0.89); otherwise, the next subject received a 0.025% higher ropivacaine concentration. MEC90, MEC95 and MEC99 were estimated by isotonic regression, and the corresponding 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CIs) were calculated by the bootstrapping method. Results: Based on the analysis of 52 patients, MEC90, MEC95, and MEC99 of ropivacaine for QLB were estimated to be 0.352% (95% CI 0.334–0.372%), 0.363% (95% CI 0.351–0.383%), and 0.373% (95% CI 0.363–0.386%). The concentration of ropivacaine at 0.352% in a volume of 30 ml can provide a successful block in 90% of patients. Conclusions: For ultrasound-guided transmuscular QLB in patients undergoing THA, 0.352% ropivacaine in a volume of 30 ml can provide a successful block in 90% of patients. Further dose-finding studies and large sample size are required to verify the concentration.

Abstract Background Analyzing meningioma of distinct pathological types at the single-cell level can provide new and valuable insights into the specific biological mechanisms of each cellular subpopulation, as well as their vital interplay within the tumor microenvironment. Methods We recruited patients diagnosed with four distinct types of meningioma and performed single-cell RNA sequencing on their tumor samples, concurrently analyzing a publicly available dataset for comparison. Next, we separated the cells into discrete clusters and identified their unique identities. Using pseudotime analysis, we demonstrated cellular differentiation and dynamics. To investigate biological function, we employed weighted gene co-expression network analysis, gene regulatory network, and gene set enrichment analysis. Additionally, we conducted cell–cell communication analyses to characterize interactions among different clusters and validated a crucial interaction using multiple immunofluorescence staining. Results The single-cell transcriptomic profiles for five meningioma of different pathological types demonstrated that neoplastic cells exhibited high inter-sample heterogeneity and diverse biological functions featured by metabolic regulation. A small cluster of neoplastic cells (N5 cluster,

Abstract Background The cytochrome P450 (CYP) superfamily is the largest enzyme metabolism family in plants identified to date, and it is involved in many biological processes, including secondary metabolite biosynthesis, hormone metabolism and stress resistance. However, the P450 gene superfamily has not been well studied in pear (Pyrus spp.). Results Here, the comprehensive identification and a comparative analysis of P450 superfamily members were conducted in cultivated and wild pear genomes. In total, 338, 299 and 419 P450 genes were identified in Chinese white pear, European pear and the wild pear, respectively. Based on the phylogenetic analyses, pear P450 genes were divided into ten clans, comprising 48 families. The motif and gene structure analyses further supported this classification. The expansion of the pear P450 gene family was attributed to whole-genome and single-gene duplication events. Several P450 gene clusters were detected, which have resulted from tandem and proximal duplications. Purifying selection was the major force imposed on the long-term evolution of P450 genes. Gene dosage balance, subfunctionalization and neofunctionalization jointly drove the retention and functional diversification of P450 gene pairs. Based on the association analysis between transcriptome expression profiles and flavonoid content during fruit development, three candidate genes were identified as being closely associated with the flavonoid biosynthesis, and the expression of one gene was further verified using qRT-PCR and its function was validated through transient transformation in pear fruit. Conclusions The study results provide insights into the evolution and biological functions of P450 genes in pear.

Abstract Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths, and the most common type is lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). LUAD is frequently diagnosed in people who never smoked, patients are always diagnosed at advanced inoperable stages, and the prognosis is ultimately poor. Thus, there is an urgent need for the development of novel targeted therapeutics to suppress LUAD progression. In this study, we demonstrated that the expression of DNA replication and sister chromatid cohesion 1 (DSCC1) was higher in LUAD samples than normal tissues, and the overexpression of DSCC1 or its coexpressed genes were highly correlated with poor outcomes of LUAD patients, highlighting DSCC1 might be involved in LUAD progression. Furthermore, the expression of DSCC1 was positively correlated with multiple genetic mutations which drive cancer development, including TP53, TTN, CSMD, and etc. More importantly, DSCC1 could promote the cell proliferation, stemness, EMT, and metastatic potential of LUAD cells. In addition, DSCC1 interacted with HSP90AB1 and promoted the progression of LUAD via regulating ER stress. Meanwhile, DSCC1 expression negatively correlated with immune cell infiltration in lung cancer, and DSCC1 positively regulated the expression of PD-L1 in LUAD cells. Collectively, this study revealed that DSCC1 is a novel therapeutic target to treat LUAD and a biomarker for predicting the efficiency of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade treatment.

Abstract Background This study aimed to investigate the relationship between fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and human serum albumin (HSA) in a large health checkup population in China. Methods In this cross-sectional health checkup study, we enrolled a population of 284,635 subjects from Wuhu between 2011 and 2016. All participants completed the physical examination, blood biochemical examination, and blood routine examination. Results The prevalence of diabetes in men and women was 6.11% and 2.98%, respectively. The average level of HSA and FPG was significantly higher in men than in women (48.44 ± 3.25 vs. 47.14 ± 3.22, P