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Abstract Background The evolutionally conserved homeobox transcription factor NKX2-5 has been at the forefront in the field of cardiac biology, providing molecular insights into the mechanisms of cardiac development and disease. This homodomain transcription factor is a central regulator of cardiac development and is expressed in both the first and second heart fields (FHF and SHF). Mutations in the NKX2-5 gene have been linked to sporadic cases of congenital heart disease (CHD), making it a significant target for research and study. While several studies have been conducted on Caucasian populations, there is a dearth of knowledge on the effects of NKX2-5 gene mutations in other settings, underscoring the need for further investigation. Due to differences in geographical and ancestral origin, we hypothesize that mutations may vary across different populations. Understanding the genetic factors that cause CHD is essential for providing effective genetic counseling and developing strategies for risk reduction. Additionally, identification of NKX2-5 mutations in individuals with CHDs is crucial because patients with CHDs are at a higher risk of progressive conduction disease and sudden cardiac death, and genetic information is taken into consideration while making decisions regarding pacemakers and implantable cardiac defibrillators. To determine the risk of congenital heart disease among infants, we conducted a study where we sequenced the exon 1 and exon 2 of NKX 2.5 in patients with sporadic CHDs, with the aim of identifying mutations in the NKX2.5 gene. Results In this study, a novel frame-shift disease-causing mutation was discovered in patients with atrial-ventricular septal defect. The mutation, identified as c95_95 del A; cDNA.369–369 delA; g 369–369 delA, resulted in the substitution of phenylalanine to leucine (F295L), which in turn caused a truncated NKX2.5 protein. In addition, a non-synonymous mutation, g 316C > T; cDNA 316C > T leucine to arginine (L37R) substitution, was found in a patient with the tetralogy of Fallot, affecting protein function. Furthermore, a novel non-synonymous mutation identified as g 2295–2298; cDNA 755–758 delins AGGG, was predicted by mutation taster to be disease-causing in a ventricular septal defect. It is worth noting that none of these mutations were found among the control subjects, highlighting their potential significance in the pathogenesis of these cardiac defects. Conclusion Mutations in the NKX2.5 gene are associated with congenital heart diseases and provide molecular insight into the pathogenesis of congenital heart diseases. We recommend that patients with NKX2.5 mutations have periodic screening for cardiac conduction abnormalities and be evaluated for potential implanted cardiac defibrillators and pacemakers.

Does unfair experience make people feel more entitled to behave selfishly? If so, can a sense of growth effectively weaken the effect of unfairness on selfishness? Drawing upon the Equity with the World (EwW) theory, three lab-based experiments (total N = 408) were conducted to answer these questions. We consistently found that people who had just been treated unfairly or reminded of a time when their lives were unfair felt entitled to behave selfishly. Consistent with a trans-relational effect, unfair victims behave selfishly toward the unfair doer as well as innocent individuals, and there was no significant difference in strength. Reconstructing a sense of growth could effectively buffer the 'unfairness-to-selfishness' effect. The findings added a new perspective into interventions, and extended the EwW theory by demonstrating a strong reciprocative tendency from the fair-treated individuals., Author(s): Rong Shi [sup.1] , Yongqiang Chen [sup.2] , Wei Qi [sup.3] , Wangbing Shen [sup.4] , Shuwei Liu [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.27255.37, 0000 0004 1761 1174, Department of [...]

Abstract Objectives This study aims to use the three‐dimensional (3D) mixed‐reality model of liver, entailing complex intrahepatic systems and to deeply study the anatomical structures and to promote the training, diagnosis and treatment of liver diseases. Methods Vascular perfusion human specimens were used for thin‐layer frozen milling to obtain liver cross‐sections. The 104‐megapixel‐high‐definition cross sectional data set was established and registered to achieve structure identification and manual segmentation. The digital model was reconstructed and data was used to print a 3D hepatic model. The model was combined with HoloLens mixed reality technology to reflect the complex relationships of intrahepatic systems. We simulated 3D patient specific anatomy for identification and preoperative planning, conducted a questionnaire survey, and evaluated the results. Results The 3D digital model and 1:1 transparent and colored model of liver established truly reflected intrahepatic vessels and their complex relationships. The reconstructed model imported into HoloLens could be accurately matched with the 3D model. Only 7.7% participants could identify accessory hepatic veins. The depth and spatial‐relationship of intrahepatic structures were better understandable for 92%. The 100%, 84.6%, 69% and 84% believed the 3D models were useful in planning, safer surgical paths, reducing intraoperative complications and training of young surgeons respectively. Conclusions A detailed 3D model can be reconstructed using the higher quality cross‐sectional anatomical data set. When combined with 3D printing and HoloLens technology, a novel hybrid‐reality navigation‐training system for liver surgery is created. Mixed Reality training is a worthy alternative to provide 3D information to clinicians and its possible application in surgery. This conclusion was obtained based on a questionnaire and evaluation. Surgeons with extensive experience in surgical operations perceived in the questionnaire that this technology might be useful in liver surgery, would help in precise preoperative planning, accurate intraoperative identification, and reduction of hepatic injury.

Context. Overuse of N fertiliser in vegetable cropping systems is known to release of nitric and nitrous oxide to the atmosphere in China. Optimisation of N fertilisation regimes has the potential to mitigate NO and [N.sub.2]O emissions from these N-rich systems. Aims. We investigated the effects of different N fertilisation regimes on NO and [N.sub.2]O emissions, and vegetable yields, with particular efforts to estimate annual direct emission factors of NO and [N.sub.2]O under different N fertilisation regimes in greenhouse vegetable fields. Methods. Annual NO and [N.sub.2]O fluxes were taken simultaneously using the static chamber-based method from a greenhouse vegetable system in south-east China with four N fertiliser treatments: (I) no N fertiliser (control); (2) chemical N fertiliser application (CF); (3) organic N fertiliser application (OF); and (4) organic-chemical mixed N fertiliser application (MF). Key results. N fertilisers significantly increased NO and [N.sub.2]O emissions. Direct emission factors of N fertiliser for NO and [N.sub.2]O were the largest for MF, with an average of 0.99% and 0.67%, respectively. Vegetable yields were only significantly enhanced under OF treatment. Conclusions. Relative to the use of chemical N fertiliser, the application of organic-chemical mixed N fertiliser showed not to be effective for mitigating NO and [N.sub.2]O emissions. Instead, sole application of organic N fertiliser was a viable option to enhance vegetable yields but without increasing NO and [N.sub.2]O emissions in greenhouse vegetable systems. Implications. Substituting the use of chemical N fertiliser with organic N fertiliser input could benefitvegetable production but without stimulating NO and [N.sub.2]O emissions from vegetable cropping systems in sub-tropical China. Keywords: emissions factor, greenhouse vegetable field, nitric oxide, nitrous oxide, NO/[N.sub.2]O ratio, organic fertiliser, vegetable yields, WFPS., Introduction Nitric (NO) and nitrous oxide ([N.sub.2]O) are two trace gases that play critical roles in global nitrogen cycle. Both NO and [N.sub.2]O are involved in atmospheric photochemistry processes and [...]

Deep sowing is a traditional method for drought resistance in maize production, and mesocotyl elongation is strongly associated with the ability of maize to germinate from deep soil. However, little is known about the functional genes and mechanisms regulating maize mesocotyl elongation. In the present study, we identified a plant‐specific SIMILAR TO RCD‐ONE (SRO) protein family member, ZmSRO1e, involved in maize mesocotyl elongation. The expression of ZmSRO1e is strongly inhibited upon transfer from dark to white light. The loss‐of‐function zmsro1e mutant exhibited a dramatically shorter mesocotyl than the wild‐type in both constant light and darkness, while overexpression of ZmSRO1e significantly promoted mesocotyl elongation, indicating that ZmSRO1e positively regulates mesocotyl elongation. We showed that ZmSRO1e physically interacted with ZmbZIP61, an ortholog of Arabidopsis ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5 (HY5) and showed a function similar to that of HY5 in regulating photomorphogenesis. We found that ZmSRO1e repressed the transcriptional activity of ZmbZIP61 toward target genes involved in the regulation of cell expansion, such as ZmEXPB4 and ZmEXPB6, by interfering with the binding of ZmbZIP61 to the promoters of target genes. Our results provide a new understanding of the mechanism by which SRO regulates photomorphogenesis and highlight its potential application in deep sowing‐resistant breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanate photocatalysts with suitable cocatalysts are promising candidates for photocatalytic CO2 reduction, with the use of water as an electron donor. Here, several barium titanates with various compositions were examined, and BaTi4O9 (BT4) was found to be the best photocatalyst with the assistance of an Ag cocatalyst for photocatalytic CO2 reduction to form CO. The photocatalytic activity was further enhanced by the use of MnOx as an additional cocatalyst to construct an Ag-MnOx/BT4 photocatalyst, where Ag and MnOx were selectively deposited at different facets on BT4 crystal and functioned as active sites for CO2 reduction and water oxidation, respectively. As for the oxidative products from water, molecular oxygen (O2) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]