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A sustainable solution to the dramatic spread of antibiotic resistance threatening public health security is the development of antibiotic-free antimicrobial substances. Inspired by natural host defense mechanisms involving amino-terminal copper–nickel binding motif (ATCUN) antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), we have designed and prepared an artificial complex (Cu@G-AMPs) incorporating single-atom Cu catalysts for antibacterial therapy. The substrate of the complex, formed from guanine doped with abundant heteroatoms, anchored single Cu atoms with a coordination number of 2 and an average bond length of 1.91 Å. Interestingly, Cu@G-AMPs, exhibiting Fenton-like catalytic activity, caused the inactivation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by generating and delivering reactive oxygen species (ROS) cargo. Mechanistically, the intrinsic stress response system of MRSA underwent an irreversible collapse when Cu@G-AMPs initiated its offensive program associated with non-specific targets. Furthermore, Cu@G-AMPs, which inherited the immunomodulatory properties of AMPs, sequentially carried out the functions of pulling edge closure, stabilizing granulation tissue, promoting collagen fiber proliferation, alleviating inflammation, and promoting neovascularization in wound areas infected by MRSA. Our results show that Cu@G-AMPs will provide a new perspective on untangling the complex regulatory networks that resistant bacteria have cultivated to deactivate commercial antibiotics.

Purpose: To determine the distributions of published α/β values measured in vitro and the resulting uncertainties in the equivalent dose in 2 Gy fractions (EQD2) when applied to high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) for cervical cancer. Methods and Materials: An analysis of 98 published α/β values from 31 papers was conducted, spanning 23 cervical cancer cell lines. Values were further divided into squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma histologies. Probability distributions were fit to histograms using the bootstrapped Kolmogorov-Smirnov goodness-of-fit test. Both average and most probable α/β values for cervical cancer were determined. The probability distributions were then applied to three representative external beam therapy (EBT) plus HDR brachytherapy prescriptions to determine the potential impact they would have on the equivalent dose in 2 Gy fractions (EQD2) for each prescription. Results: Published results of α/β values ranged from 1.06 to 34.3 Gy. A right-skewed log-normal distribution was shown to be the best fit for overall α/β values as well as for squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma subtypes.. Average α/β values were determined to be 8.05, 8.47, and 6.60 Gy for the total, squamous cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma groups, respectively. The most probable values were 4.25, 4.34, and 4.22 Gy, respectively. The variations in α/β values led to uncertainties of −8.0 to 46.4 Gy in EQD2. Average α/β values resulted in EQD2 deviations of up to 4.3 Gy for the 83.9 Gy EQD2 prescription, whereas most probable values resulted in disparities as significant as 10 Gy. We used our α/β value distributions to create uncertainty distributions for EQD2 and discovered that the 83.9 Gy prescription in EQD2 had average variations of up to 8% from the intended dose. Conclusion: There was large variation in in vitro α/β values which presented as a right-skewed log-normal distribution with a most probable value of ∼4.3 Gy for cervical cancer. Adenocarcinoma showed somewhat lower average α/β values compared with squamous cell carcinoma, but the difference was not substantial enough to draw definitive conclusions. Lower α/β values resulted in higher EQD2 for HDR-BT compared with α/β values at 10 Gy. This suggests that more accurate and potentially lower α/β values should be used for cervical cancer.

The sleep-wake states and general anesthesia share many neurophysiological similarities, as both involve reversible changes in consciousness and modulation of brain activity. This paper reviews the role of glutamatergic neurons, the brain's primary excitatory neurons, in regulating sleep-wake states and general anesthesia. We discuss the involvement of glutamatergic neurons across various brain regions, including the brainstem, basal forebrain, thalamus, hypothalamus, and cortex, highlighting their contributions to physiological sleep-wake and anesthesia modulation. Recent advancements in techniques such as optogenetics, chemogenetics, and neural tracing have enhanced our understanding of these neurons' functions. Understanding these mechanisms can lead to improved therapeutic strategies for sleep disorders and more precise anesthetic practices, providing new avenues for clinical intervention.

Developing novel layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) has gained tremendous interest due to their attractive physicochemical properties and promising applications. Herein, for the first, quasi-monolayered hexagonal-IrSe2 (h-IrSe2) nanosheets with metastable two-dimensional structure to the thermodynamically stable orthorhombic counterpart (o-IrSe2) have been prepared via the colloidal synthesis. Atomic-resolution transmission electron microscopy and spectroscopic characterizations confirm the 1 T configuration of the as-synthesized h-IrSe2, constructed from Ir-Se octahedra units. The metastable h-IrSe2 exhibits significantly enhanced performance for hydrogen evolution/oxidation reactions in alkaline media compared to o-IrSe2, even surpassing the metallic Ir nanoparticles. In situ Raman spectra and theoretical calculations reveal that the Se sites on the basal-plane of h-IrSe2 are the actual active sites. The obtained quasi-monolayered lamellar morphology of h-IrSe2 provides abundant basal-planes, thereby leading to increased effective electrochemical active area and enhanced mass activity. The activation of the basal-plane Se atoms could be attributed to the reduced local interband energy separation between the lowest empty d-band on Ir and the occupied p-band on Se, which is responsible for the optimized binding strength of the key intermediates during hydrogen electrocatalysis.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of fermitin family member 1 (FERMT1) on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) via the EGFR/AKT/β-catenin and EGFR/ERK pathways. Methods: The expression of FERMT1 encoding protein kindlin-1 in HCC tissues was determined by immunohistochemistry, and FERMT1 mRNA expression in HCC tissues and cell lines was analyzed by qRT-PCR. After the FERMT1 expression of SNU182 and SNU387 interfered with siRNA, the cell viability, invasion, migration, and EMT were tested by CCK-8, transwell invasion, scratching, immunofluorescence/WB, respectively. Similarly, the effects of FERMT1 on the viability and metastasis of HCC were investigated in transplanted tumor and lung metastasis mouse models. The protein expressions of EGFR/AKT/β-catenin and EGFR/ERK pathways were analyzed by WB. In addition, the relationship between FERMT1 and EGFR was further determined by immunofluorescence double staining and Co-IP. Results: FERMT1 was significantly upregulated in HCC, and silencing FERMT1 inhibited the viability, invasion, migration, and EMT of HCC. Silencing FERMT1 also inhibited the activation of EGFR/AKT/β-catenin and EGFR/ERK pathways. In addition, inhibition of EGFR, AKT, or ERK confirmed that EGFR/AKT/β-catenin and EGFR/ERK pathways were involved in the promoting effects of FERMT1 on HCC. Co-IP and immunofluorescence experiments confirmed the targeting relationship between FERMT1 and EGFR. Conclusion: FERMT1 was highly expressed in HCC and promoted viability, invasion, migration, and EMT of HCC by targeting EGFR to activate the EGFR/AKT/β-catenin and EGFR/ERK pathways. Our study revealed the role of FERMT1 in HCC and suggested that FERMT1 exerts biological effects through activating the EGFR/AKT/β-catenin and EGFR/ERK pathways.

The safety of the rice-fish co-culture system (RFCS) is threatened by severe soil cadmium (Cd) pollution. However, the characteristics of Cd accumulation in aquatic animals within this system remain poorly understood. To investigate the Cd accumulation characteristics and dietary risks in aquatic animals with varying habitat characteristics, three species — crayfish Procambarus clarkii, loach Paramisgumus dabryanus, and crucian carp Carassius auratus — were cultured in RFCS with soil Cd pollution ranging from 0.2 to 32.0 mg/kg. The results demonstrated that the survival of the three aquatic animals did not differ significantly at medium to low Cd concentrations (0.2–4 mg/kg) but decreased markedly at high concentrations (16–32 mg/kg). The WGR of crayfish decreased as the Cd treatment concentration increased. The Cd accumulation in various tissues showed an increasing trend with increasing Cd exposure. At the same concentration, the accumulation of Cd was in the order of liver (or hepatopancreas) ≈ intestine > gill > muscle. At the same Cd treatment concentration, the Cd accumulation in different animal species generally showed a trend of crayfish > loach > crucian carp, indicating that accumulation of Cd in the aquatic animals within the Cd-contaminated RFCS is closely related to their habitat characteristics. The soil pollution thresholds for crayfish, loach and crucian carp were determined to be 11.7, 38.8 and 90.5 mg/kg, respectively, which can serve as early warnings for safe production. Within the tested concentration range, the aquatic animals did not pose non-carcinogenic risks; however, they posed carcinogenic risks when these animals are exposed to high soil Cd concentrations.

A functional food formula named SVS consists of serum-derived bovine immunoglobulin protein isolate, vitamin C, and selenium-enriched yeast. Here, we aimed to investigate the immunoregulatory effects of SVS in vivo and to elucidate its underlying mechanism. In normal mice, administration of SVS significantly enhanced delayed-type hypersensitivity responses, increased hemolysis plaque counts, and elevated serum hemolysin levels, indicating boosted cellular and humoral immunity. Furthermore, in a murine model of exercise-induced immunosuppression, SVS administration resulted in reduced serum BUN levels and increased IgG concentrations, suggesting a dual role in alleviating fatigue and enhancing immune function. Additionally, SVS balanced T cell differentiation by increasing IFN-γ levels while decreasing IL-4 levels. Gut microbiota analysis showed that SVS increased species diversity in immunosuppressed mice. Notably, an increase in the abundance of beneficial bacterial taxa was observed, specifically including Bacteroides, Akkermansia, and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group. Metabolomic analysis revealed that SVS reversed immunosuppression-induced disturbances in metabolites, particularly in sphingolipid and glycerophospholipid pathways. Correlation analysis suggested that the immune-enhancing effects of SVS are linked to its regulatory impact on gut microbiota and metabolism. These findings support the potential of SVS as a therapeutic immune-enhancing health food.

ABSTRACT: We previously identified a dark blue appearance through the skin of abdomen, especially the colored chicken breeds, called hyperpigmentation of the visceral peritoneum (HVP) which characterized by intense pigmentation of connective tissue in the visceral peritoneum. The HVP has recently garnered increasing attention due to its negative impact on carcass appearance, and been an important concern in the poultry industry, especially for the Chinese yellow-feathered broilers. In this study, we measured the in vivo HVP at different time points, and analyzed the correlation between the HVP in vivo and postmortem. Then, established an accurate and reliable HVP phenotypic measuring method in vivo for early selection in chickens and analyzed the association of phenotypic variations with the in vivo HVP traits with growth traits. The results showed that the in vivo HVP at 21 d of age in chickens have a high heritability (h2 = 0.452) through estimating genetic parameters, and in vivo HVP levels at 21 and 42 d were both significantly associated with those postmortem in chickens, suggesting that directional selection on reducing HVP can be implemented as early as at 21 d in the breeding and production of chickens. Although, we found HVP had no effect on the body weight at 1 d, it could significantly reduce the body weight at 21, 42, 70 d and 91 d in chickens. This suggests HVP not only has a negative effect on carcass traits, but also significantly reduces the production in the poultry industry.

ABSTRACT: The breast plumage color of Guangxi Yao chickens shows obvious sexual dimorphism, with roosters showing black and black with red, and hens displaying partridge and red. Black plumage in roosters is considered a sign of quality, necessitating the purification of plumage color. Here, we developed an effective method based on genetic variations within MC1R and plumage characteristics. We clarified the distribution of 5 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and 3 haplotypes (H1, H2, and H3) of MC1R gene, and revealed potential associations between haplotype H1 and black breast plumage in the F2 resource population derived from a backcross between Guangxi Yao and Yellow chickens. Subsequently, using H1/H1 diplotype roosters and hens to construct families (n = 1,244) notably increased the proportion of offspring with black plumage. Further analysis suggested that red plumage in hens may be the putative phenotype of black plumage in roosters, driven by haplotype H1 of the MC1R gene, as verified by genotype and phenotype analysis. As expected, we found that almost all male offspring of hens with red breast plumage showed black plumage. In short, we established a selection pattern based on the combination of black-plumage roosters and red-plumage hens can significantly purify the sexually dimorphic plumage color and improve the efficiency of breeding programs in Guangxi Yao chickens. Our findings provide a novel technical framework to accelerate the breeding process for plumage trait in poultry.

Given the reduction of freshwater resources, saline-alkaline aquaculture has emerged as an effective approach to expand the fishery's accessible space. High carbonate alkalinity (CA) is a major stressor for aquatic organisms in saline-alkaline environments. Paramisgurnus dabryanus is a potential species for culture in saline-alkaline water, making it an ideal model for investigating the physiological responses and tolerance mechanisms to CA exposure in freshwater fishes. In the current study, P. dabryanus were exposed to 15 and 30 mmol/L NaHCO3, combining blood biochemical, gill histological, transcriptomic, and metabolomic methods for conjoint analysis of response mechanisms. After 28-d exposure, the gill ventilation frequency of P. dabryanus decreased significantly, gill lamellae twisted and atrophied, and gill filament epithelial cells proliferated, potentially limiting gas exchange, whereas the accessory air-breathing frequency increased significantly, possibly for greater oxygen uptake. Serum osmolality and blood pH remained relatively steady, while serum ammonia levels rose significantly. A total of 3718 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 205 differential metabolites (DMs) were identified between the control group and 30 mmol/L NaHCO3 group, involved in ion transport (Na+/K+-ATPase, V-type ATPase, carbonic anhydrase, and ABC transporters), ammonia transport (Rh glycoproteins and Aquaporins), amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and fatty acid metabolism. Furthermore, DEGs were significantly associated with cell-cell/ extracellular matrix interaction and protein synthesis. An integrated multi-omics analysis revealed the activation of carbon metabolism and TCA cycle. These results indicate that in response to CA exposure, P. dabryanus may facilitate carrier-mediated ion and ammonia transport to maintain the internal osmotic equilibrium and lessen the deleterious effects of blocked ammonia excretion. Meanwhile, amino acid metabolism and protein synthesis are disturbed, P. dabryanus can modulate carbohydrate catabolism to maintain energy homeostasis. The above findings provide novel insights into saline-alkaline adaptation in freshwater fishes, paving the way for future research and development of saline-alkaline-tolerant Cobitidae strains.

Summary: Identifying excellent natural variations is the foundation for breeding. Several major genes of quantitative trait loci for chilling tolerance at the seedling stage (qCTS) have been identified. However, less is known about the dual elite modules for the tolerance. Here, we report the major gene of qCTS1-2, Chilling-tolerance in Geng/japonica rice 4 (COG4), encoding the transcription factor ENAC1, coupled with OsbZIP23 to positively regulate chilling tolerance. The haplotype analysis and geographical distribution show that most of the chilling-tolerant japonica varieties carry Var9(CT) at −317 in COG4 (COG4jap). The COG4jap promoter is preferentially bound by cold-induced OsbZIP23 to cause a higher expression of COG4jap compared to COG4ind, which promotes multiple pathways for the tolerance. Both COG4jap and OsbZIP23jap are artificially selected and retained in japonica varieties during domestication. These results not only reveal the regulatory mechanism of OsbZIP23jap-COG4jap module but also provide valuable variations for molecular design breeding.

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have been advertised as a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes; however, their exact effects on the bronchial epithelium are poorly understood. Air-liquid interface culture human bronchial epithelium (ALI-HBE) contains various cell types, including basal cell, ciliated cell and secretory cell, providing an in vitro model that simulates the biological characteristics of normal bronchial epithelium. Multiplex single-cell RNA sequencing of ALI-HBE was used to reveal previously unrecognized transcriptional heterogeneity within the human bronchial epithelium and cell type–specific responses to acute exposure to e-cigarette aerosol (e-aerosol) containing distinct components (nicotine and/or flavoring). The findings of our study show that nicotine-containing e-aerosol affected gene expression related to transformed basal cells into secretory cells after acute exposure; inhibition of secretory cell function by down-regulating genes related to epithelial cell differentiation, calcium ion binding, extracellular exosomes, and secreted proteins; and enhanced interaction between secretory cells and other cells. On the other hand, flavoring may alter the growth pattern of epithelial cells and make basal cells more susceptible to SARS-CoV infection. Besides, the data also indicate factors that may promote SARS-CoV-2 infection and suggest therapeutic targets for restoring normal bronchial epithelium function after e-cigarette use. In summary, the current study offered fresh perspectives on alterations in the cellular landscape and cell type–specific responses in human bronchial epithelium that are brought about by e-cigarette use.

In agriculture, specifically livestock monitoring, drones' ability to track multiple targets is essential for advancing the field. However, limited computing resources and unpredictable drone movements often cause issues like ambiguous video frames, object obstructions, and size deviations. These inconsistencies reduce tracking accuracy, making traditional algorithms inadequate for handling drone footage. This study introduces an enhanced deep learning-based multi-target drone tracker framework that enables real-time processing. The proposed method combines object detection and tracking by leveraging consecutive frame pairs to extract and share features, enhancing computational efficiency. It employs diverse loss functions to address class and sample distribution imbalances and includes a composite deblurring module to enhance detection accuracy. Object association utilizes a dual regress bounding box technique, aiding in object identification verification and predictive motion. Live tracking is achieved by predicting object locations in subsequent frames, enabling real-time tracking. Evaluation against leading benchmarks shows that the system improves precision and speed, achieving a 4.3 % increase in Multi-Object Tracking Accuracy (MOTA) and a 7.7 % boost in F1 score.

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a highly successful global parasite, infecting about one-third of the world's population and significantly affecting human life and the economy. However, current drugs for toxoplasmosis treatment have considerable side effects, and there is no specific drug to meet current needs. This study aims to evaluate the anti-T. gondii activity of broxaldine (BRO) in vitro and in vivo and explore its mechanism of action. Our results showed that compared to the control group, the invasion rate of tachyzoites in the 4 μg/mL BRO group was only 14.31%, and the proliferation rate of tachyzoites in host cells was only 1.23%. Furthermore, BRO disrupted the lytic cycle of T. gondii and reduced the size and number of cysts in vitro. A mouse model of acute toxoplasmosis reported a 41.5% survival rate after BRO treatment, with reduced parasite load in tissues and blood. The subcellular structure of T. gondii was observed, including disintegration of T. gondii, mitochondrial swelling, increased liposomes, and the presence of autophagic lysosomes. Further investigation revealed enhanced autophagy, increased neutral lipids, and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential in T. gondii treated with BRO. The results also showed a significant decrease in ATP levels. Overall, BRO demonstrates good anti-T. gondii activity in vitro and in vivo; therefore, it has the potential to be used as a lead compound for anti-T. gondii treatment.

Summary: Spatial epidemiology recognizes the impact of environmental factors on human infectious diseases through disease vectors. The expansion of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus raises concerns about health risks due to their changing distribution. However, current mosquito mapping methods have low spatial resolution and limited focus on long-term trends and factors. This study develops a high-resolution framework (500 m) to map mosquito distribution in Southeast Asia from 1960 to 2020. It includes a species distribution model, a spatial autocorrelation model, and a geographical detector model. The study produces Southeast Asia’s first 500 m resolution map of mosquito suitability, revealing significant increases in mosquito suitability in most cities over the past 60 years. The analysis indicates a shift in high-suitability areas from coastal to inland regions, with nighttime land surface temperature playing a key role. These findings are crucial for regional risk assessments and mitigation strategies related to vector-borne diseases.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the stress distribution in pulpotomized primary molars with different types of restorative materials using 3D-finite element analysis (FEA), and provide valuable insights into the selection and application of restorative materials, with the ultimate goal of reducing the risk of pulpotomy failure and protecting residual dental tissue. Methods: Four 3D models of pulpotomized primary molars with different restorative materials according to the material and its elastic modulus were analysed: resin composite, stainless steel crowns (SSCs), prefabricated zirconia crowns and endocrowns. The food layer was also designed before vertical and bucco-lingual forces were applied to simulate physiological masticatory conditions. The results were obtained by colorimetric graphs of the von Mises stresses (VMS) in the restoration and tooth remnant. The maximum shear stress on the bonding interfaces and pressure stress on the Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA)-pulp interfaces were recorded. Results: The results of the 3D-FEA showed that all restorative materials generated stresses and strains on the tooth structure after pulpotomy. In the resin composite group, the marginal enamel exhibited the highest stress peaks. In the zirconia crown and SSC groups, there was a concentration of stress at the dentin-restoration margin. The shear stress concentrations were mainly at the adhesive margins, with lower levels around endocrowns compared to other groups. MTA in the resin composite group experienced more VMS than in the other group. The resin composite group also generated relatively higher pressure stress values at the MTA-pulp interface compared to the other groups. Significance: In the model of primary teeth following pulpotomy, the three types of restorations covering the occlusal surface can effectively reduce the stress on pulp capping materials under occlusal loads, thereby potentially decreasing the risk of pulpotomy failure. In addition, the group of endocrowns demonstrated reduced stress at the bonding interface and in the stress concentration zone near the dentist-restoration edge, making them more effective at protecting residual dental tissue.

Skeletal muscle diseases, a broad category encompassing a myriad of afflictions such as acute muscle injury and muscular dystrophies, pose a significant health burden globally. These conditions often lead to muscle weakness, compromised mobility, and a diminished quality of life. In light of this, innovative and effective therapeutic strategies are fervently sought after. Exosomes, naturally extracellular vesicles with a diameter of 30–150 nm, pervade biological fluids. These microscopic entities harbor a host of biological molecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, bearing a significant resemblance to their parent cells. The roles they play in the biological theater are manifold, influencing crucial physiological and pathological processes within the organism. In the context of skeletal muscle diseases, their potential extends beyond these roles, as they present a promising therapeutic target and a vehicle for targeted drug delivery. This potentially paves the way for significant clinical applications. This review aims to elucidate the mechanisms underpinning exosome action, their myriad biological functions, and the strides made in exosome research and application. A comprehensive exploration of the part played by exosomes in skeletal muscle repair and regeneration is undertaken. In addition, we delve into the use of exosomes in the therapeutic landscape of skeletal muscle diseases, providing a valuable reference for a deeper understanding of exosome applications in this realm. The concluding section encapsulates the prospective avenues for exosome research and the promising future they hold, underscoring the tremendous potential these diminutive vesicles possess in the field of skeletal muscle diseases.The Translational Potential of this Article.The comprehensive exploration of exosome's diverse biological functions and translational potential in the context of skeletal muscle diseases presented in this review underscores their promising future as a therapeutic target with significant clinical applications, thus paving the way for innovative and effective therapeutic strategies in this realm.

The hot deformation behavior and microstructure of Fe-12.5Cr–4Al–2Mo-0.03Nb-0.08Y alloy were studied under conditions of 800 °C–1200 °C/0.01 s−1∼10 s−1 using a combination of hot compression experiments, EBSD and TEM characterization. The results indicate that the deformation temperature and strain rate have a significant impact on the flow stress and microstructure of the alloy, especially the deformation temperature. The constitutive equation constructed in this paper can reflect the hot deformation process and accurately calculate flow stress value of the FeCrAl alloy in corresponding states. The FeCrAl alloy undergoes DRV and DRX during hot deformation. DDRX grains distributed along the original grain boundaries mainly formed at low deformation temperatures and high strain rates, while CDRX grains mainly formed at high deformation temperatures and low strain rates and characterized by the internal distribution of the original grains. Moreover, the orientation of DDRX grains is mostly different from that of adjacent original grains, while the orientation of CDRX grains is relatively close to that of the original grains.

The economic operation of the integrated energy system faces the problems of coupling between energy production and conversion equipment in the system and the imbalance of various energy demands. Therefore, taking system safety as the constraint and minimum economic cost as the objective function, including fuel cost, operation, and maintenance cost, this paper proposes the operation dispatching model of the integrated energy system based on hydrogen fuel cell (HFC), including HFC, photovoltaic, wind turbine, electric boiler, electric chiller, absorption chiller, electric energy storage, and thermal energy storage equipment. On this basis, a distributionally robust optimization (DRO) model is introduced to deal with the uncertainty of wind power and photovoltaic output. In the distributionally robust optimization model, Kullback–Leibler (KL) divergence is used to construct an ambiguity set, which is mainly used to describe the prediction errors of renewable energy output. Finally, the DRO economic dispatching model of the HFC integrated energy system (HFC-IES) is established. Besides, based on the same load scenario, the economic benefits of hybrid energy storage equipment are discussed. The dispatching results show that, compared with the scenario of only electric energy storage and only thermal energy storage, the economic cost of the scenario of hybrid electric and thermal storage can be reduced by 3.92% and 7.55% respectively, and the use of energy supply equipment can be reduced, and the stability of the energy storage equipment can be improved.

(−)-Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and theacrine are involved in imparting tea with its astringent and bitter tastes. This study investigated the effect of theacrine on the astringency of EGCG and its molecular mechanism. Sensory evaluation was used to study the astringent intensities of EGCG solutions in the presence and absence of various concentrations of theacrine. The results indicated a considerable increase in the astringency values of EGCG–theacrine solutions compared with those of EGCG solutions alone. Furthermore, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and molecular dynamics simulations (MD) were to explore the interaction mechanisms. The results revealed that theacrine increased the particle size of EGCG-proline-rich proteins (PRPs) aggregates with that of EGCG and PRPs alone. MD revealed that theacrine potentially acted as a bridge between EGCG and PRPs, promoting their interaction and intensifying the EGCG's astringency. However, theacrine could not bridge two or more mucins owing to the substantial spatial structure of mucin.

Summary: Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have prospered a rechargeable world, predominantly relying on various metal oxide cathode materials for their abilities to reversibly de-/intercalate lithium-ion, while also serving as lithium sources for batteries. Despite the success of metal oxide, issues including low energy density have raised doubts about their suitability for next-generation lithium batteries. This has sparked interest in metal chlorides, a neglected cathode material family. Metal chlorides show promise with factors like energy density, diffusion coefficient, and compressibility. Unfortunately, challenges like high solubility hamper their utilization. In this review, we highlight the opportunities for metal chlorides in the post-lithium-ion era. Subsequently, we summarize their dissolution challenges. Furthermore, we discuss recent advancements, encompassing liquid-state electrolyte engineering, solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) cooperation, and LiCl-based cathodes. Finally, we provide an outlook on future research directions of metal chlorides, emphasizing electrode fabrication, electrolyte design, the application of SSEs, and the exploration of conversion reactions.

Selective laser melting (SLM) is a common technique categorized as one of the metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) processes to efficiently manufacture complex geometries. However, due to the diversity and difficulty in quantification of part geometry, it is hard to investigate different geometry, which is highly vital to the part quality, on the thermal behavior (TB) in the SLM process to ensure the part forming rate. To tackle this problem, a geometry feature equivalence (GFE) method was proposed to divide the geometric features into permutations and combinations of different GF elements. Firstly, common elements and uncommon elements were defined, where the former represents the element with the same track length in each track and the letter means the element has various track length in each track. Then, a finite element model was established and verified based on experiments to investigate the influence of GF elements on all kinds of TB including temperature variation, temperature changing rate, molten pool dimensions and lifetime. Next, for common elements, single-track model was analyzed to obtain the influence of the track length on the TB, which showed that the peak value of temperature, heating rate and cooling rate are at the starting point, and then gradually become stable with the track length increasing. After that, multi-track model was established to investigate the effect of the track number on the TB, which represented that the maximum heating rate keeps declining, the maximum cooling rate of each track are almost same, and the molten pool width and depth increase with the track number increasing. Moreover, two uncommon elements were designed and studied to obtain its TB, which demonstrates that even though the track length is the same in each track, different arrangement will bring out various temperature evolution. Finally, a thin-wall ring was built and measured based on experiments to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The proposed method can contribute to the part designer to obtain the TB of arbitrary geometric feature in design phase and guide the part geometry design and optimization.

Background: Gliomas, known for their complex and aggressive characteristics, are deeply influenced by the tumor microenvironment. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a vital role in shaping this environment, presenting an opportunity for novel treatment strategies. Methods: We collected six bulk RNA datasets, one single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) dataset, and gene sets related to Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs), Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transformation (EndMT), and sprouting angiogenesis. We computed enrichment scores using Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) and Single-sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (ssGSEA). To analyze immune infiltration, we employed the CIBERSORT method. Data analysis techniques included the log-rank test, Cox regression, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Pearson correlation. For single-cell data, we utilized tools such as Seurat and CellChat for dimensionality reduction, clustering, and cell communication analysis. Results: 1. MMP14 was identified as an independent prognostic marker, highly expressed in myeloid cells in recurrent glioblastoma, highlighting these cells as functionally significant. 2. C–C Motif Chemokine Ligand (CCL) signaling from MMP14+ myeloid cells was identified as a critical immune regulatory pathway, with high C–C Motif Chemokine Receptor 1 (CCR1) expression correlating with increased M2 macrophage infiltration and PD-L1 expression. 3. Patients with high MMP14 expression showed better responses to bevacizumab combined chemotherapy. 4. Signaling pathways involving Visfatin, VEGF, and TGFb, emanating from myeloid cells, significantly impact endothelial cells. These pathways facilitate EndMT and angiogenesis in gliomas. 5. Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) showed a strong link with angiogenesis and EndMT, and its association with chemotherapy resistance and differential sensitivity to bevacizumab was evident. Conclusions: MMP14+ myeloid cells are critical in promoting tumor angiogenesis via EndMT and in mediating immunosuppression through CCL signaling in glioblastoma. MMP14 and NAMPT serve as vital clinical indicators for selecting treatment regimens in recurrent glioma. The study suggests that a combined blockade of CCR1 and CD274 could be a promising therapeutic strategy.

Bacteria are vital for maintaining ecosystem function in the rapidly changing environment, but limited data was reported regarding the characteristics of bacterial communities along the regional-scale in aquatic ecosystems on the Fildes Peninsula (Antarctica), where vulnerable aquatic habitats have been affected by the dramatic retreat of the Collins glacier. This study revealed differences and hidden connections of bacterial communities in two aquatic ecosystems (periglacial lakes and coves) near Collins glacier using amplicon sequencing. The results showed periglacial lakes and coves harbored 568 and 388 unique OTUs, respectively, but also shared 199 common OTUs, which meant there existed some linkages connections between the two ecosystems. Compared to periglacial lakes, communities in coves exhibited decreased richness and Shannon index (P

An advanced Watt class Hall Micro Thruster (HMT) is offered for Space Gravitational Wave Detection (SGWD), and an investigation has been conducted on its start-up, shutdown, rise, and fall response times. The research involved creating a circuit for thruster discharge and signal acquisition, using a Faraday probe to measure the plasma plume signal generated by the thruster, and characterizing the thrust directly. Ultimately the response time of the thruster is extracted from the discharge current and Faraday current signals. The experimental results demonstrate that the HMT has a response time ranging from 1.08 ms to 16.76 ms at mass flow rates of 0.02 mg/s and 0.04 mg/s, meeting the SGWD requirements for micro thruster response time. This research provides a physical foundation and explanation for the variation of HMT response time with discharge voltage versus mass flow rate with several key parameters that affect HMT plasma discharge, such as neutral gas number density (nn) and ionization mean free path (λi). Furthermore, we have examined several anomalies in the signal. Overall, this research provides a brand-new method for measuring the thrust response time of electric thrusters.

The introduction of multidrug combination chemotherapy has significantly advanced the long-term survival prospects for osteosarcoma (OS) patients over the past decades. However, the escalating prevalence of chemoresistance has emerged as a substantial impediment to further advancements, necessitating the formulation of innovative strategies. Our present study leveraged sophisticated bulk and single-cell sequencing techniques to scrutinize the OS immune microenvironment, unveiling a potential association between the differentiation state of macrophages and the efficacy of OS chemotherapy. Notably, we observed that a heightened presence of lipid metabolism genes and pathways in predifferentiated macrophages, constituting the major cluster of OS patients exhibiting a less favorable response to chemotherapy. Subsequently, we developed a robust Macrophage and Lipid Metabolism (MLMR) risk model and a nomogram, both of which demonstrated commendable prognostic predictive performance. Furthermore, a comprehensive investigation into the underlying mechanisms of the risk model revealed intricate associations with variations in the immune response among OS patients. Finally, our meticulous drug sensitivity analysis identified a spectrum of potential therapeutic agents for OS, including AZD2014, Sapitinib, Buparlisib, Afuresertib, MIRA-1, and BIBR-1532. These findings significantly augment the therapeutic arsenal available to clinicians managing OS, presenting a promising avenue for elevating treatment outcomes.

Summary: mRNA vaccines have proven to be pivotal in the fight against COVID-19. A recommended booster, given 3 to 4 weeks post the initial vaccination, can substantially amplify protective antibody levels. Here, we show that, compared to contralateral boost, ipsilateral boost of the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine induces more germinal center B cells (GCBCs) specific to the receptor binding domain (RBD) and generates more bone marrow plasma cells. Ipsilateral boost can more rapidly generate high-affinity RBD-specific antibodies with improved cross-reactivity to the Omicron variant. Mechanistically, the ipsilateral boost promotes the positive selection and plasma cell differentiation of pre-existing GCBCs from the prior vaccination, associated with the expansion of T follicular helper cells. Furthermore, we show that ipsilateral immunization with an unrelated antigen after a prior mRNA vaccination enhances the germinal center and antibody responses to the new antigen compared to contralateral immunization. These findings propose feasible approaches to optimize vaccine effectiveness.

The OVATE family proteins (OFPs) are plant-specific proteins that modulate diverse aspects of plant growth and development. In tomato, OFP20 has been shown to interact with TONNEAU1 Recruiting Motif (TRM) proteins to regulate fruit shape. In this study, we demonstrated that the mutation of StOFP20 caused a shift from round to oval shaped tubers in a diploid accession C151, supporting the role of StOFP20 in controlling tuber shape. Its expression reached a maximum in the tuber initiation stage and then decreased as the tuber develops. To help elucidate the mechanism of tuber shape regulation by StOFP20, 27 TONNEAU1 Recruiting Motif (TRM) proteins were identified and 23 of them were successfully amplified in C151. A yeast two-hybrid assay identified three TRM proteins that interacted with StOFP20, which was confirmed by firefly luciferase complementation in tobacco leaves. The OVATE domain was indispensable for the interactions, while the necessity of the M10 motif in TRM proteins varied among the interactions between StOFP20 and the three TRMs. In summary, both StOFP20 and SlOFP20 directed interactions with TRM proteins, but the corresponding interactants were not completely consistent, implying that they exert regulatory roles through mechanisms that are only partially overlapping.

ABSTRACT: The process of egg yolk formation involves the transport and uptake of a large number of small molecule metabolites. A qualitative and relative quantitative analysis of metabolites in the 3 formation periods of egg yolk was performed by a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analytical workflow. A total of 398 metabolites were identified, of which “amino acids and their metabolites”, “lipid”, and “organic acids and their derivatives” were the dominant egg yolk metabolite categories with the most metabolite species. The findings suggested that a number of amino acids, organic acids, nucleotides and their metabolites were deposited during follicular development to provide material support for later embryonic development. At the same time, some vitamins and carbohydrates were consumed during follicular development to support the normal development process. In addition, the small hierarchical follicle (SF) period may be a critical period for the regulation of the transport and deposition of some active ingredients. These results contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the nutrient deposition pattern and nutritional properties of egg yolk.

FCMTE1 is an autosomal dominant inherited neurodegenerative disorder characterized by myoclonic tremors and epilepsy. The cause of FCMTE1 is an abnormal (TTTCA)n insertion in intron 4 of SAMD12 gene. Fibroblasts obtained from a FCMTE1 patient were successfully transformed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) (ZJUi013-A) using the Sendai virus. Our approach provided a resource for further pathogenesis study and drug screening of FCMTE1.

This chapter presents a systematic study of the inhibition effect of chlorine dioxide treatment alone and in combination with ultrasound treatment of Salmonella and the physiological metabolic processes within the treated cells. The low-power ultrasound (0.03 W/mL) significantly enhanced the effectiveness (110.00 %) of low concentrations of chlorine dioxide (0.25 mg/L) in inhibiting Salmonella, which, in turn, would significantly reduce the potential environmental impact. In addition, further studies found that low-power ultrasound may enhance the structural and functional damage of chlorine dioxide on Salmonella cell membranes (significant increase in permeability of the outer and inner cell membranes) and disrupt intracellular substance metabolism (small molecule and nucleotide metabolism) and energy metabolism (significant reduction in ATP content and ATPase activity) balance to improve the bacterial inhibitory effect of chlorine dioxide. The results of the study will provide a theoretical basis and methodological guidance for the implementation of “cleaner production” in the food industry.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious neurological disorder with increasing worldwide incidence. Emerging evidence has shown a significant therapeutic role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived exosomes on traumatic brain injury with broad application prospects as a cell-free therapy. However, a comprehensive understanding of its underlying mechanism remained elusive. In this study, umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs)-derived exosomes (UC-MSCs-Exo) were isolated by ultracentrifugation and injected intraventricularly in a rat model of TBI. Our results showed that UC-MSCs-Exo promoted functional recovery and reduced neuronal apoptosis in TBI rats. Moreover, UC-MSCs-Exo inhibited the activation of microglia and astrocytes during brain injury, thereby promoting functional recovery. However, the effect of UC-MSCs-Exo on the content of plasma inflammatory factors in rats was not significant. Collectively our study suggested that UC-MSCs-Exo promotes the recovery of neurological function in TBI rats by inhibiting the activation of microglia and astrocytes, providing a theoretical basis for new therapeutic strategies for central nervous system diseases.

Considering the weakness of present prediction model on the traditional shopping mall building energy consumption caused by the limitations of the type and quantity of input variables, study proposes a shopping mall building energy consumption prediction model based on Chaos theory. This method firstly calculates the Lyapunov index of the energy consumption of the shopping mall to prove that the energy consumption of the shopping mall has chaotic characteristics. Secondly, it uses Chaos theory to reconstruct the phase space of the energy consumption data of the shopping mall to obtain the data with the energy consumption characteristics of the shopping mall as the data basis for the establishment of the model. Then the data is used to train the back-propagation (BP) neural network, and finally uses the confidence interval to describe the predicted value so as to complete the model building process. The RMSE of the model is reduced from 12.4 to 1.89, which proves the reliability of the algorithm. This method can provide a reference for building operation diagnostics and optimization.

Background: Sputum eosinophilia is a treatable trait for chronic cough. It is currently not clear whether the blood eosinophil counts could be used to identify sputum eosinophilia in patients with chronic cough. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of blood eosinophils in comparison to other common type 2 biomarkers for identifying sputum eosinophilia in patients with chronic cough. Methods: In this prospective study, a total of 658 patients with chronic cough were enrolled. Induced-sputum test, routine blood test, total immunoglobulin E (TIgE), and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) level were measured. The percentage of sputum eosinophils (Eos%) ≥ 2.5% was defined as sputum eosinophilia. The area under the curve (AUC) of blood eosinophil counts, TIgE, and FeNO alone or in combination for predicting sputum eosinophilia were analyzed. Results: The AUC of blood eosinophil counts for predicting sputum eosinophilia in chronic cough patients was moderate [0.826 (0.767–0.885)], as compared to that of FeNO [0.784 (0.720–0.849), P = 0.280] and TIgE [0.686 (0.613–0.760), P = 0.001]. When combining blood eosinophil counts and FeNO for detecting sputum eosinophilia, a significantly larger AUC [0.868 (0.814–0.923), with a sensitivity of 84.2% and a specificity of 82.8%] was yielded, as compared to each single marker alone (all P

Extreme weather is frequent and aggressive, posing a huge challenge to urban management capacity. The construction of urban resilience is a systematic project of multi-system coordination. Previous studies have focused on temporal evolution, external system coupling and coordination, and less on the internal study of urban resilience systems. Based on the perspective of the Wuli-Shili-Renli methodology, the study combines urban resilience with Eastern management philosophy. Using a coupled coordination model, the evolutionary laws of key elements of multiple processes in the complex urban resilience system of Henan Province are studied. The coupled coordination mechanism of multiple elements and processes in the province is revealed. It is found that (1) the development of the urban resilient system in Henan Province has gone through two stages from fluctuation to stability. From 2010 to 2015 called “fluctuating growth” and from 2016 to 2019 called “linear growth”. (2) There are three different periods of development for the coordination of the urban resilient system in Henan. Stage 1 (2010–2015) the “coupling teething period”, stage 2 (2016–2017) the “decoupling accumulation period” and stage 3 (2018–2019) the “self-organized explosive period”. (3) Henan has strong preventive power, but weak resistance and recovery power. Then, from the perspective of WSR, the optimal regulation of the regional urban resilient system is proposed.

The survival mechanism of Salmonella treated with high-intensity ultrasound (HIU) should be explored to further enhance the bactericidal efficacy of HIU. In this study, culturable Salmonella was reduced by applying HIU. Electron microscope imaging revealed that HIU caused the disintegration of cell structure and leakage of intracellular substances. For the Salmonella after the HIU treatment, key enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid [TCA] cycle were significantly downregulated, which led to a reduced ATP content (45.25%–75.00%), although ATPase activity was augmented by 33.82%–60.64% in the Salmonella. Accordingly, surviving Salmonella could have tolerated the stress of HIU by upregulating their environmental sensing (two-component system), chemotaxis (bacterial chemotaxis), substance uptake (ABC transporter), and ATP production (oxidative phosphorylation). Therefore, synergistically blocking the ATP production, signal transduction, or substance intake of Salmonella offer promising potential strategies to improve the bactericidal effect of HIU in industrial food processing.

The key ecological functional zone plays a significant role in maintaining ecosystem security, water conservation function and environmental protection. However, owing to rapid industrialization and urbanization, some ecological functional zones have undergone great changes in land use, which has changed the landscape pattern characteristics and resulted in ecological risks, affecting the regional ecological environment and water security. In this study, the core water source area of the Middle Route of China’s South–to–North Water Diversion Project is selected as the case study. A regional landscape ecological risk index (ERI) was constructed to evaluate the landscape ecological risk driven by land use transformation. Moreover, the ERI's spatiotemporal characteristics were investigated using a combination of geographic information systems and geostatistical techniques, which reveal the dominant land use function types associated with ecological risks and their causes. We found that (1) there was not a notable shift in land use, and the level of ecological risk increased slightly from 2010 to 2015. The conversion of previously unproductive land into places for industrial production land and agricultural productive land played a significant role in this phenomenon. From 2015 to 2020, the Danjiangkou Reservoir officially started operation. Furthermore, the improvement of residents’ awareness of environmental protection and natural forest land significantly reduced the ecological risk. (2) The ecological risk has a strong positive autocorrelation, exhibiting a pattern of high in the east and center, low in the west and periphery. (3) An obvious corresponding relation exists between the impacts of topography, soil, and climate on patterns of land use and ecological risk. Additionally, the strict ecological protection policies implemented by the Chinese government have realized remarkable achievements in promoting the improvement of ecological risks. Our study can provide a decision–making basis for the local authorities to conduct ecological risk prevention activities and ensure the sustainable northward flow of clean water.

This paper utilizes a low-power Hall thruster to investigate its flow field’s neutral flow dynamics. Specifically, under a free molecular flow with a high Knudsen number (Kn>10), we employ the flow conductance theory to investigate the interplay between the internal structural parameters of the thruster flow field and its conductance, which is directly reflected in the neutral gas distribution.Hence, first, we increase the number and diameter of the orifices in the buffer chamber so that the baffle effectively increases the flow field conductance, and thus the number density (nn) of the neutral gas in the discharge channel increases. This phenomenon reduces the ionization mean free path (λi) and thus increases the utilization rate (ηi) of the neutral gas. Then, we alter the baffle orifices distribution to an unequally spaced distribution and stagger the outlet orifices, resulting in a highly homogeneity neutral gas distribution in the circumferential direction, ultimately increasing the effective outlet area and reducing the backflow probability of the neutral gas molecules. This operation reduces the low-frequency oscillation amplitude and thus enhances the thruster’s operation stability. Finally, we explore the influence of the entire operating conditions, especially temperature and mass flow rate variations, on the universality of the simulation results. Overall, this work provides a new concept for optimizing the neutral flow field dynamics of a Hall thruster.

Eucommia ulmoides Oliver (EuO) is a traditional Chinese herb with effects on repairing disorders of liver lipid metabolism and enhancing immunity in mice. In this study, the effects of EuO on immune enhancement and liver protection of M. salmoides were tested by adding 3% EuO to a high-starch diet and were evaluated by histopathology, enzymology, flow cytometry, and molecular biology. The results showed that the high starch diet promoted hepatocytes apoptosis, damaged the liver, and led to impaired immune function. However, the integrality of liver was recoverd, innate response was enhanced, hepatocyte apoptosis was inhibited, and antioxidant capacity was improved after treatment with EuO. These findings reveal that EuO could improve the immune function while also repairing the M. salmoides liver injury induced by a high starch diet. This study provides a theoretical basis for EuO to solve the liver disease of M. salmoides caused by a high starch diet.

There are few data regarding adult protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB). This study aimed to delineate the clinical features of PBB and evaluate their potential diagnostic value in adults. We recruited 55 adult patients with PBB and selected randomly 220 patients with non-PBB as control. A diagnosis of PBB was considered if patients had a cough lasting ≥3 weeks, no abnormalities of chest computed tomography, positive bacterial culture in sputum and/or response well to oral moxifloxacin for 1–4 weeks. The clinical manifestations and laboratory investigations were compared between PBB patients and non-PBB patients. Of the 55 patients with PBB, approximately three-fifths (34, 61.8%) were females with a median age of 46.0 years, which were similar to that of patients with non-PBB. We observed a shorter cough duration in PBB than non-PBB (median 3.0 versus 24.0 months, p < 0.001). Compared to non-PBB patients, PBB patients had higher incidences of productive cough, yellow phlegm and a sensation of mucus in the throat (SMIT) (all p < 0.001). Sputum neutrophils and lymphocytes were markedly elevated in PBB patients than non-PBB patients (both p = 0.004). Bacterial pathogens were detected in eight (28.6%) of 28 cases with PBB. The multivariate analyses showed yellow phlegm, productive cough, SMIT, increased sputum lymphocytes (≥2.3%) and cough duration ≤8.5 months with moderate sensitivity (50.9–81.8%) and moderate-high specificity (60.5–94.4%) for determining PBB. In summary, adults with PBB are characterized by productive cough, yellow phlegm, SMIT and neutrophilic airway inflammation. These cough features and increased sputum lymphocytes may be useful to indicate PBB.

The collection of many environmental pollutants from road dust is harmful to living things and their surroundings. Previous studies have confirmed that road dust affects plant pigmentation, pollination, and biochemical properties. However, there are no comprehensive studies on multi-level dust pollution levels and multifaceted physiological properties of plants, and more importantly, there are no studies on atmospheric dust pollution monitors. In this experiment, the effect of road dust on the morphology and biochemistry of Salvia guaranitica St.Hil.was investigated by simulated deposition of different amounts of dust, and the changes of their physiological morphology under different pollution levels were also explored. A control group CK (0.00 g/plant), four experimental groups S1 (0.015 g/plant), S2 (0.030 g/plant), S3 (0.045 g/plant) and S4 (0.060 g/plant) were sprayed with the same dust samples every other day for 30 days. It was found that after 30 days of dust exposure, different degrees of morphological changes and damage occurred in Salvia. The different pollution levels also resulted in different degrees of biochemical characteristics of Salvia. With the increase of pollution, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic and evaporation rates decreased significantly, but the activity of SOD and the content of MDA increased significantly in different experimental groups. Especially, the experiments also revealed that severe road dust pollution caused damage and deformation to stomata, as well as a significant reduction in stomatal and glandular density. In addition, the regression curves of the different physiological responses of Salvia to road dust can be used as a preliminary basis for plant monitoring of dust pollution degrees, thus provided a scientific basis for the use of plant biomonitors in the field of pollution biology.

Boiling has important effects on the texture of chicken eggs, but its effects on egg nutrients have not been systematically investigated. In this study, changes in the metabolites of egg yolks boiled under different heating intensities were quantified and compared by metabolomic analysis. A total of 797 metabolites were identified, and the abundance of 162 metabolites changed significantly after boiling. The significant reduction of L-lysine and D-fructose suggested that Maillard reactions occurred in over-boiled egg yolks. Egg yolk endogenous enzymes might induce a partial hydrolysis of proteins and phospholipids during the warm-up period of boiling, as the abundance of dipeptides, lysophospholipids, and free fatty acids was significantly increased in boiled egg yolks. Boiling increased the detectable abundance of fat-soluble vitamins, riboflavin, and biotin, possibly by altering the complex structure of protein-lipid-lipophilic compounds or denaturing vitamin-binding proteins. The results of metabolomic analyses provide important information for understanding the nutritional changes of egg yolk boiled under different heating intensities.

Egg yolks are rich in lipids that are easily altered during processing and storage. In this study, a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry strategy was used for quantitative lipidomics analysis of egg yolk after spray-drying processing and accelerated storage. Spray-drying treatment caused lipid oxidation (especially the oxidation of free fatty acids), potential hydrolysis of phospholipids, and alteration of the form of certain polyunsaturated fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, linolenic acid, and eicosatetraenoic acid) in egg yolk. These lipid alterations caused by the spray-drying process were further aggravated by the accelerated storage process. In detail, following storage, the abundance of free fatty acids, phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylethanolamine decreased further; and the abundance of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the form of triglycerides increased significantly. These results provide new insight into the mechanism underlying egg yolk property changes during spray-drying and storage, and offer valuable reference data for egg yolk powder promotion and application in food processing.

Aiming at the problems of extensive management and energy waste in the operation of shopping malls, this paper proposed a shopping mall building energy-saving diagnosis model based on an improved PSO-SVM neural network. Firstly, the operation data with good energy-saving characteristics were selected from the collected historical data of energy consumption by clustering algorithm as the data basis for the establishment of the model. Secondly, the Adaboost algorithm was used to optimize the PSO-SVM neural network to complete the model construction, and the energy-saving data was used to complete the training of the model. Finally, the judgment criteria for abnormal energy consumption were established, and the energy consumption situation at the current moment was diagnosed by using the trained energy-saving diagnosis model. The abnormal judgment criteria of energy consumption were used to analyze the diagnostic results, and the energy-saving diagnosis process was completed, which was verified by case analysis. Through case analysis and verification, the energy-saving rate of the energy-saving diagnosis model established in this paper has been increased from -1.1% to 11.9%, and the problem moments generated during the operation of air conditioning in shopping malls have been successfully diagnosed. The model established in this paper can not only find out the unreasonable conditions in the operation of the air-conditioning system, but also provide a reference for building energy-saving management and operation.

The microstructure evolution and microhardness of Q&P980 steel heat-affected zone (HAZ) was investigated systematically using weld thermal simulation technique. The phase transformation temperatures were determined by the dilatometry. Ac1 and Ac3 were observed to be quite constant, 750 and 935 °C, at the heating rates higher than 150 °C/s. The different regions of HAZ were obtained varying the peak heating temperature in the simulation experiments. With the peak temperature increased from 300 to 1350 °C, the microstructure evolved from martensite/ferrite/retained austenite to tempered martensite/carbides/ferrite, then finally turned to single martensite phase with fine lath or coarse lath morphology. The volume percentage of retained austenite reduced dramatically from 13% to 2% due to retained austenite transformation at high temperature. The lowest microhardness of 268 HV was obtained in sub-critical HAZ and the highest microhardness of 485 HV was obtained in fine grained HAZ. The welding continuous cooling transformation (CCT) diagram of Q&P980 steel corresponding coarse grained HAZ was constructed by dilatometric methods. There was ferrite, bainite and martensite transformation regions when the cooling rates ranged from 0.1 to 100 °C/s. The microhardness kept at a high certain level of 450–460 HV at high cooling rates (≥20 °C/s) because of the formation of martensite. By the CCT diagram determined, the effect of cooling rate on microstructure and microhardness can be deduced and utilized for optimizing the welding parameters.

Uppermost-internode diameter (UID) is a key morphological trait associated with spike development and yield potential in wheat. Our understanding of its genetic basis remains largely unknown. Here, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for UID with high-density genetic maps were identified in five wheat recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations. In total, 25 QTLs for UID were detected in five RIL populations, and they were located on chromosomes 1A, 1D (3 QTL), 2B (2), 2D (3), 3B, 3D, 4A, 4B (3), 4D, 5A (5), 5B (2), 6B, and 7D. Of them, five major and stable QTLs (QUid.sau-2CN-1D.1, QUid.sau-2SY-1D, QUid.sau-QZ-2D, QUid.sau-SC-3D, and QUid.sau-AS-4B) were identified from each of the five RIL populations in multiple environments. QUid.sau-2CN-1D.1, QUid.sau-2SY-1D and QUid.sau-SC-3D are novel QTLs. Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP) markers tightly linked to them were further investigated for developing near-isogenic lines (NILs) carrying the major loci. Furthermore, candidate genes at these intervals harboring major and stable QTLs were predicted, and they were associated with plant development and water transportation in most cases. Comparison of physical locations of the identified QTL on the ‘Chinese Spring’ reference genome showed that several QTLs including two major ones, QUid.sau-2CN-1D.1 and QUid.sau-2SY-1D, are likely allelic confirming their validity and effectiveness. The significant relationships detected between UID and other agronomic traits and a proper UID were discussed. Collectively, our results dissected the underlying genetic basis for UID in wheat and laid a foundation for further fine mapping and map-based cloning of these QTLs.

Purpose: High-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy for cervical cancer treatment includes significant uncertainties. The aim of this study was to quantify the interfraction dosimetric variation (IDV) of the high-risk clinical target volume (HRCTV) from the prescribed dose and the corresponding effect on organ-at-risk (OAR) dose based on a comprehensive statistical analysis. Methods and Materials: Fifty patients with cervical cancer treated with high-dose-rate intracavity brachytherapy from October 2019 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The OARs of interest were the rectum, bladder, sigmoid, and bowel. The dosimetric parameters evaluated for all patients was the dose absorbed by 90% of the HRCTV (D90) and the dose absorbed by 0.1 (D0.1cc) and 2 cm3 (D2cc) of each respective OAR. The HRCTV variations were from the prescribed dose and the OAR variations were from the corresponding tolerance dose. Distribution fitting of the HRCTV variations was determined to quantify the IDV. Comparative statistics of the HRCTV variations with the OAR variations were conducted to determine correlations. Results: The mean HRCTV variation from the prescribed dose was –2.53% ± 8.74%. The HRCTV variations and OAR variations showed moderate to weak linear correlations despite the variations being relative to each other, with the bladder D2cc having the strongest correlation. There was a 30.0% (±2.62%, 95% confidence interval) probability of underdosing the HRCTV (–5% variation from prescription) and a 23.3% (±2.62%, 95% confidence interval) probability of overdosing the HRCTV (+5% variation from prescription). This tendency to underdose the HRCTV was a consequence of HRCTV IDV not being normally distributed. Conclusions: HRCTV dosimetric variations and OAR variations were complexly correlated with the bladder D2cc having the strongest correlation. HRCTV IDV was best described as a left-skewed distribution that indicates a tendency of underdosing the HRCTV. The clinical significance of such dose variations is expected and will be further investigated.

ABSTRACT: Background: Livestock and poultry skeletal muscle development was regulated by a variety of genetic factors playing an essential role in this process. In our de novo sequencing, a missense mutation in ISPD exon 2 showed a selected signature for well-developed muscles. However, the relationship between this mutation and muscle phenotypes remains unclear. Results: Based on the genotype bias of this missense mutation in gamecock chickens, we compared the cross-section of muscle fibers among the individuals with different genotypes with the results showing a genotype preference of this missense mutation in the chickens with hypertrophic muscle fibers. Comparing TT- and CC-genotype ISPD showed that TT- genotype was associated with heavier skeletal muscle and a better effect on myogenesis and myofiber stability. At cellular level, ISPD was identified to inhibit myoblast proliferation, differentiation and antagonize of muscular atrophy. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the missense mutation of Arg84Lys in ISPD was associated with well-developed muscles and demonstrated to improve chicken muscles’ development.

Objective: Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) was reported to attenuate hepatic lipid accumulation in overnutrition-related metabolic disorder, mediated by up-regulation of fas apoptosis inhibitory molecule (FAIM). However, how PACAP regulates FAIM in metabolic tissues remains to be addressed. Here we investigated the underlying mechanism on the role of PACAP in ameliorating metabolic disorder and examined the potential therapeutic effects of PACAP in preventing the progression of metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Methods: Mouse models with MAFLD induced by high-fat diet were employed. Different doses of PACAP were intraperitoneally administrated. Western blot, luciferase assay, lentiviral-mediated gene manipulations and animal metabolic phenotyping analysis were performed to explore the signaling pathway involved in PACAP function. Results: PACAP ameliorated the excessive hepatic lipid accumulation and inhibited lipogenesis in HFD-fed C57BL/6J mice. Mechanistically, PACAP activated the FAIM-AMPK-IRβ axis to inhibit the expression of lipid synthesis genes, and FAIM mediated the effects of PACAP. FAIM suppression via lentiviral-mediated shRNA inhibited the activation of AMPK, whereas FAIM overexpression promoted AMPK activation. PACAP increased the promoter activity of FAIM gene through activating PKA-CREB signaling pathway. Conclusion: Our work demonstrated that the administration of PACAP represented a feasible approach for treating hepatic lipid accumulation in MAFLD. The findings reveal the molecular mechanism that PACAP increase FAIM expression and activates the FAIM/AMPK/IRβ signaling axis, thus inhibits lipogenesis to mediate its beneficial effects.