Search

Simple Summary: The present research investigates the counterintuitive effects of sublethal chemotherapy doses in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), focusing on their role in enhancing cancer cell malignancy and the role of Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) in this process. This study is designed to understand how sublethal doses of chemotherapy drugs like taxol and doxorubicin lead to increased cancer cell migration, invasion, metastasis, and the consequent upregulation of AKR1B10. Our findings uncover the fact that AKR1B10 plays a crucial role in NSCLC progression and chemoresistance, with its increased expression being linked to enhanced malignancy. The results are significant for the research community as they provide insight into the currently paradoxical molecular mechanisms of chemotherapy-induced resistance in lung cancer. This could lead to the potential development of more effective treatment strategies that consider the impact of chemotherapy dosing on cancer cell behavior, potentially improving patient outcomes by preventing the unintentional enhancement of cancer aggressiveness. Chemotherapy remains a cornerstone in lung cancer treatment, yet emerging evidence suggests that sublethal low doses may inadvertently enhance the malignancy. This study investigates the paradoxical effects of sublethal low-dose chemotherapy on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, emphasizing the role of Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10). We found that sublethal doses of chemotherapy unexpectedly increased cancer cell migration approximately 2-fold and invasion approximately threefold, potentially promoting metastasis. Our analysis revealed a significant upregulation of AKR1B10 in response to taxol and doxorubicin treatment, correlating with poor survival rates in lung cancer patients. Furthermore, silencing AKR1B10 resulted in a 1–2-fold reduction in cell proliferation and a 2–3-fold reduction in colony formation and migration while increasing chemotherapy sensitivity. In contrast, the overexpression of AKR1B10 stimulated growth rate by approximately 2-fold via ERK pathway activation, underscoring its potential as a target for therapeutic intervention. The reversal of these effects upon the application of an ERK-specific inhibitor further validates the significance of the ERK pathway in AKR1B10-mediated chemoresistance. In conclusion, our findings significantly contribute to the understanding of chemotherapy-induced adaptations in lung cancer cells. The elevated AKR1B10 expression following sublethal chemotherapy presents a novel molecular mechanism contributing to the development of chemoresistance. It highlights the need for strategic approaches in chemotherapy administration to circumvent the inadvertent enhancement of cancer aggressiveness. This study positions AKR1B10 as a potential therapeutic target, offering a new avenue to improve lung cancer treatment outcomes by mitigating the adverse effects of sublethal chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9, which degrade type IV collagen, are linked to cancer invasion and metastasis. Gene polymorphisms in MMP-2 and MMP-9 can influence their function, impacting cancer development and progression. This study analyzed the association between polymorphisms MMP-2 rs243865 (C-1306T), rs2285053 (C-735T), and MMP-9 rs3918242 (C-1562T) with serum concentrations of these enzymes in upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC) patients. We conducted a case–control study with 218 UTUC patients and 580 healthy individuals in Taiwan. Genotyping was performed using PCR/RFLP on DNA from blood samples, and MMP-2 and MMP-9 serum levels and mRNA expressions in 30 UTUC patients were measured using ELISA and real-time PCR. Statistical analysis showed that MMP-2 rs2285053 and MMP-9 rs3918242 genotypes were differently distributed between UTUC patients and controls (p = 0.0199 and 0.0020). The MMP-2 rs2285053 TT genotype was associated with higher UTUC risk compared to the CC genotype (OR = 2.20, p = 0.0190). Similarly, MMP-9 rs3918242 CT and TT genotypes were linked to increased UTUC risk (OR = 1.51 and 2.92, p = 0.0272 and 0.0054). In UTUC patients, TT carriers of MMP-2 rs2285053 and MMP-9 rs3918242 showed higher mRNA and protein levels (p < 0.01). These findings suggest that MMP-2 rs2285053 and MMP-9 rs3918242 genotypes are significant markers for UTUC risk and metastasis in Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The Pacific blue shrimp (Litopenaeus stylirostris) is essential to the global seafood market, but intensive farming has increased disease and reduced genetic diversity. This study aimed to develop microsatellite markers for broodstock management using high-throughput transcriptome sequencing from various tissues. We identified 40 robust markers, revealing significant genetic diversity crucial for sustainable shrimp farming. These markers are valuable for breeding programs and help in the conservation and improvement of shrimp populations. The Pacific blue shrimp (Litopenaeus stylirostris) is a premium product in the international seafood market. However, intensified farming has increased disease incidence and reduced genetic diversity. In this study, we developed a transcriptome database for L. stylirostris and mined microsatellite markers to analyze their genetic diversity. Using the Illumina HiSeq 4000 platform, we identified 53,263 unigenes from muscle, hepatopancreas, the intestine, and lymphoid tissues. Microsatellite analysis identified 36,415 markers from 18,657 unigenes, predominantly dinucleotide repeats. Functional annotation highlighted key disease resistance pathways and enriched categories. The screening and PCR testing of 42 transcriptome-based and 58 literature-based markers identified 40 with successful amplification. The genotyping of 200 broodstock samples revealed that Na, Ho, He, PIC, and FIS values were 3, 0.54 ± 0.05, 0.43 ± 0.09, 0.41 ± 0.22, and 0.17 ± 0.27, respectively, indicating moderate genetic variability and significant inbreeding. Four universal microsatellite markers (CL1472.Contig13, CL517.Contig2, Unigene5692, and Unigene7147) were identified for precise diversity analysis in Pacific blue, Pacific white (Litopenaeus vannamei), and black tiger shrimps (Penaeus monodon). The transcriptome database supports the development of markers and functional gene analysis for selective breeding programs. Our findings underscore the need for an appropriate genetic management system to mitigate inbreeding depression, reduce disease susceptibility, and preserve genetic diversity in farmed shrimp populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have demonstrated the association between antibiotic use and severe COVID-19 outcomes. This study aimed to explore detailed antibiotic exposure characteristics among COVID-19 patients. Using the OpenSAFELY platform, which integrates extensive health data and covers 40% of the population in England, the study analysed 3.16 million COVID-19 patients with at least two prior antibiotic prescriptions. These patients were compared to up to six matched controls without hospitalisation records. A machine learning model categorised patients into ten groups based on their antibiotic exposure history over the three years before their COVID-19 diagnosis. The study found that for COVID-19 patients, the total number of prior antibiotic prescriptions, diversity of antibiotic types, broad-spectrum antibiotic prescriptions, time between first and last antibiotics, and recent antibiotic use were associated with an increased risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. Patients in the highest decile of antibiotic exposure had an adjusted odds ratio of 4.8 for severe outcomes compared to those in the lowest decile. These findings suggest a potential link between extensive antibiotic use and the risk of severe COVID-19. This highlights the need for more judicious antibiotic prescribing in primary care, primarily for patients with higher risks of infection-related complications, which may better offset the potential adverse effects of repeated antibiotic use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a significant health challenge that is particularly prevalent in Southeast Asia and North Africa. MRI is the preferred diagnostic tool for NPC due to its superior soft tissue contrast. The accurate segmentation of NPC in MRI is crucial for effective treatment planning and prognosis. We conducted a search across PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from inception up to 20 March 2024, adhering to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Eligibility criteria focused on studies utilizing DL for NPC segmentation in adults via MRI. Data extraction and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the performance of DL models, primarily measured by Dice scores. We assessed methodological quality using the CLAIM and QUADAS-2 tools, and statistical analysis was performed using random effects models. The analysis incorporated 17 studies, demonstrating a pooled Dice score of 78% for DL models (95% confidence interval: 74% to 83%), indicating a moderate to high segmentation accuracy by DL models. Significant heterogeneity and publication bias were observed among the included studies. Our findings reveal that DL models, particularly convolutional neural networks, offer moderately accurate NPC segmentation in MRI. This advancement holds the potential for enhancing NPC management, necessitating further research toward integration into clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic originated in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, the first case diagnosed since January 2020 in Taiwan. The study about the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on event, location, food source, and pathogens of foodborne disease (FBD) is limited in Taiwan. Our aim in this study is to investigate FBD in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: We collected publicly available annual summary data from the FBD dataset in the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration and Certifiable Disease on reported FBD in Taiwan from 2019 to 2020. We used logistic regression to evaluate changes in the occurrence or likelihood of FBD cases and Poisson regression to examine the relative risk (RR) between FBD and climate factors. Results: Similar events occurred in 2019 and 2020, but the total number of FBD cases decreased from 6935 in 2019 to 4920 in 2020. The places where FBD decreased were in schools, hospitals, outdoors, vendors, and exteriors. The top place in FBD shifted from schools to restaurants. The top food source for FBD has changed from boxed food to compound food. Bacillus cereus and Salmonella emerged as the top two observed bacterial pathogens causing FBD. The risk of FBD cases increased with a higher air temperature, with an RR of 1.055 (1.05–1.061, p < 0.001) every 1 °C. Conclusion: The incidence of FBD decreased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan. This decline may be attributed to protective measures implemented to control the spread of the virus. This shift in locations could be influenced by changes in public behavior, regulations, or other external factors. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding the sources and effectiveness of severe infection prevention policies. The government can use these findings to formulate evidence-based policies aimed at reducing FBD cases and promoting public health. Consumers can reduce the risk of FBD by following safe food handling and preparation recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) contents and reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in paddy soil fields can result in positive impacts on climate change mitigation and soil quality. However, SOC accumulation and its microbial driving factors under enhanced fertilization strategies (e.g., organic matter application) are still unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of organic matter addition on SOC variations, CO2 fluxes, and their relationships with soil bacterial compositions and functions through a 6-year fertilizer experiment in rice fields involving two fertilization types, namely chemical fertilizer (NPK) and chemical fertilizer combined with organic matter (NPK+OM). The results showed significantly higher and lower SOC contents (p < 0.05) in the 10–20 cm soil layer under the NPK+OM treatment before rice transplanting and after rice harvest, respectively, than those under the NPK treatment. The lower SOC contents after rice harvest might be due to the great nutrient consumption, resulting in higher rice yields in the NPK+OM than those in the NPK treatment by 6.68 to 32.35%. Compared with NPK, NPK+OM reduced the in-situ CO2 fluxes by 38.70–118.59%. However, the ex-situ SOC mineralization rates were not affected by NPK+OM in the 0–10 and 10–20 cm soil layers. The 16S rRNA sequence indicated a significant increase in the abundance of non-singleton amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) in the NPK+OM treatment scenario compared to those in the NPK treatment scenario. The top three most important soil bacterial phylum influenced by NPK+OM were LCP-89, BRC1, and Rokubacteria in April, as well as Firmicutes, Nitrospinae, and BRC1 in July. Soil Actinobacteria was negatively correlated with the SOC contents in April and July. The results of the present study demonstrate the economic and ecological benefits of the organic matter addition in rice production, as well as the contribution of soil bacteria to SOC accumulation and CO2 emission reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) exhibits the ability to form biofilms as a means of adapting to its adverse surroundings. K. pneumoniae in this biofilm state demonstrates remarkable resistance, evades immune system attacks, and poses challenges for complete eradication, thereby complicating clinical anti-infection efforts. Moreover, the precise mechanisms governing biofilm formation and disruption remain elusive. Recent studies have discovered that fingolimod (FLD) exhibits biofilm properties against Gram-positive bacteria. Therefore, the antibiofilm properties of FLD were evaluated against multidrug-resistant (MDR) K. pneumoniae in this study. The antibiofilm activity of FLD against K. pneumoniae was assessed utilizing the Alamar Blue assay along with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and crystal violet (CV) staining. The results showed that FLD effectively reduced biofilm formation, exopolysaccharide (EPS), motility, and bacterial abundance within K. pneumoniae biofilms without impeding its growth and metabolic activity. Furthermore, the inhibitory impact of FLD on the production of autoinducer-2 (AI-2) signaling molecules was identified, thereby demonstrating its notable anti-quorum sensing (QS) properties. The results of qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated that FLD significantly decreased the expression of genes associated with the efflux pump gene (AcrB, kexD, ketM, kdeA, and kpnE), outer membrane (OM) porin proteins (OmpK35, OmpK36), the quorum-sensing (QS) system (luxS), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) production (wzm), and EPS production (pgaA). Simultaneously, FLD exhibited evident antibacterial synergism, leading to an increased survival rate of G. mellonella infected with MDR K. pneumoniae. These findings suggested that FLD has substantial antibiofilm properties and synergistic antibacterial potential for colistin in treating K. pneumoniae infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the advancements in treatments for other cancers, the outcomes for osteosarcoma (OSA) patients have not improved in the past forty years, especially in metastatic patients. Moreover, the major cause of death in OSA patients is due to metastatic lesions. In the current study, we report on the establishment of three cell lines derived from metastatic canine OSA patients and their transcriptome as compared to normal canine osteoblasts. All the OSA cell lines displayed significant upregulation of genes in the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway, and upregulation of key cytokines such as CXCL8, CXCL10 and IL6. The two most upregulated genes are MX1 and ISG15. Interestingly, ISG15 has recently been identified as a potential therapeutic target for OSA. In addition, there is notable downregulation of cell cycle control genes, including CDKN2A, CDKN2B and THBS1. At the protein level, p16INK4A, coded by CDKN2A, was undetectable in all the canine OSA cell lines, while expression of the tumor suppressor PTEN was variable, with one cell line showing complete absence and others showing low levels of expression. In addition, the cells express a variety of actionable genes, including KIT, ERBB2, VEGF and immune checkpoint genes. These findings, similar to those reported in human OSA, point to some genes that can be used for prognosis, targeted therapies and novel drug development for both canine and human OSA patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intestinal inflammation is a complex and recurrent inflammatory disease. Pharmacological and pharmacodynamic experiments showed that aspirin eugenol ester (AEE) has good anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic effects. However, the role of AEE in regulating intestinal inflammation has not been explored. This study aimed to investigate whether AEE could have a protective effect on LPS-induced intestinal inflammation and thus help to alleviate the damage to the intestinal barrier. This was assessed with an inflammation model in Caco-2 cells and in rats induced with LPS. The expression of inflammatory mediators, intestinal epithelial barrier-related proteins, and redox-related signals was analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, and RT-qPCR. Intestinal damage was assessed by histopathological examination. Changes in rat gut microbiota and their functions were detected by the gut microbial metagenome. AEE significantly reduced LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (p < 0.05) and oxidative stress levels in Caco-2 cells and rats. Compared with the LPS group, AEE could increase the relative expression of Occludin, Claudin-1, and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and decrease the relative expression of kappa-B (NF-κB) and matrix metalloproteinase-9. AEE could significantly improve weight loss, diarrhea, reduced intestinal muscle thickness, and intestinal villi damage in rats. Metagenome results showed that AEE could regulate the homeostasis of the gut flora and alter the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Flora enrichment analysis indicated that the regulation of gut flora with AEE may be related to the regulation of glucose metabolism and energy metabolism. AEE could have positive effects on intestinal inflammation-related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral cancer ranks sixth among Taiwan's top 10 cancers and most patients with poor prognosis acquire metastases. The essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) has been found to diminish many cancer properties. However, the anti-cancer activity of ALA in oral cancer has yet to be determined. We examined the mechanisms underlying ALA inhibition of metastasis and induction of apoptotic cell death in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Migration and invasion assays confirmed the cancer cells' EMT capabilities, whereas flow cytometry and Western blotting identified molecular pathways in OSCC. ALA dramatically reduced cell growth in a concentration-dependent manner according to the findings. Low concentrations of ALA (100 or 200 μM) inhibit colony formation, the expression of Twist and EMT-related proteins, the expression of MMP2/-9 proteins, and enzyme activity, as well as cell migration and invasion. Treatment with high concentrations of ALA (200 or 400 μM) greatly increases JNK phosphorylation and c-jun nuclear accumulation and then upregulates the FasL/caspase8/caspase3 and Bid/cytochrome c/caspase9/caspase3 pathways, leading to cell death. Low concentrations of ALA inhibit SAS and GNM cell migration and invasion by suppressing Twist and downregulating EMT-related proteins or by decreasing the protein expression and enzyme activity of MMP-2/-9, whereas high concentrations of ALA promote apoptosis by activating the JNK/FasL/caspase 8/caspase 3-extrinsic pathway and the Bid/cytochrome c/caspase 9 pathway. ALA demonstrates potential as a treatment for OSCC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death in males worldwide. Early-stage PC patients can benefit from surgical, radiation, and hormonal therapies; however, once the tumor transitions to an androgen-refractory state, the efficacy of treatments diminishes considerably. Recently, the exploration of natural products, particularly dietary phytochemicals, has intensified in response to addressing this prevailing medical challenge. In this study, we uncovered a synergistic effect from combinatorial treatment with lovastatin (an active component in red yeast rice) and Antrodia camphorata (AC, a folk mushroom) extract against PC3 human androgen-refractory PC cells. This combinatorial modality resulted in cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase and induced apoptosis, accompanied by a marked reduction in molecules responsible for cellular proliferation (p-Rb/Rb, Cyclin A, Cyclin D1, and CDK1), aggressiveness (AXL, p-AKT, and survivin), and stemness (SIRT1, Notch1, and c-Myc). In contrast, treatment with either AC or lovastatin alone only exerted limited impacts on the cell cycle, apoptosis, and the aforementioned signaling molecules. Notably, significant reductions in canonical PC stemness markers (CD44 and CD133) were observed in lovastatin/AC-treated PC3 cells. Furthermore, lovastatin and AC have been individually examined for their anti-PC properties. Our findings elucidate a pioneering discovery in the synergistic combinatorial efficacy of AC and clinically viable concentrations of lovastatin on PC3 PC cells, offering novel insights into improving the therapeutic effects of dietary natural products for future strategic design of therapeutics against androgen-refractory prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nuclear fission reactions can release massive amounts of energy accompanied by neutrons and γ photons, which create a mixed radiation field and enable a series of reactions in nuclear reactors. This study demonstrates a one-pot/one-step approach to synthesizing radioactive gold nanoparticles (RGNP) without using radioactive precursors and reducing agents. Trivalent gold ions are reduced into gold nanoparticles (8.6–146 nm), and a particular portion of 197Au atoms is simultaneously converted to 198Au atoms, rendering the nanoparticles radioactive. We suggest that harnessing nuclear energy to gold nanoparticles is feasible in the interests of advancing nanotechnology for cancer therapy. A combination of RGNP applied through convection-enhanced delivery (CED) and temozolomide (TMZ) through oral administration demonstrates the synergistic effect in treating glioblastoma-bearing mice. The mean survival for RGNP/TMZ treatment was 68.9 ± 9.7 days compared to that for standalone RGNP (38.4 ± 2.2 days) or TMZ (42.8 ± 2.5 days) therapies. Based on the verification of bioluminescence images, positron emission tomography, and immunohistochemistry inspection, the combination treatment can inhibit the proliferation of glioblastoma, highlighting the niche of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) attributed to RGNP and TMZ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban spatial elements present agglomeration and dispersion geographic processes in the urban development. Identifying the characteristics of their distribution changes and accurately capturing the evolution of the urban spatial structure is of great significance to urban construction and management. This study takes Wuhan as a case study and focuses on the spatial agglomeration distribution of urban elements. Point of Interest (POI) data from 2017 to 2021 were collected, and the Block2Vec model was employed to extract the comprehensive geographic information from various elements within the traffic analysis zones (TAZs). Subsequently, identification and division were carried out to access the level of urban spatial element agglomeration. Finally, the spatial–temporal evolution characteristics of urban aggregated elements in the Wuhan metropolitan development area over five years were compared and analyzed. The results indicate the following: (1) urban elements present an obvious circle structure in their spatial agglomeration, with distinct differences observed among different element types; (2) from 2017 to 2021, the Wuhan urban development zone experienced obvious expansion in urban space; (3) increased agglomeration of spatial elements mainly occurred in the surrounding areas of the city, while some areas in the city center displayed weaker element agglomeration and a reduction in various service facilities. The results demonstrate that the method used in this study could effectively identify the spatial agglomeration distribution of urban elements, as well as accurately distinguishing regions with distinct development characteristics. This approach could provide robust support for optimizing land use and urban spatial planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastric cancer (GC) organoids are frequently used to examine cell proliferation and death as well as cancer development. Invasion/migration assay, xenotransplantation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were used to examine the effects of antioxidant drugs, including perillaldehyde (PEA), cinnamaldehyde (CA), and sulforaphane (SFN), on GC. PEA and CA repressed the proliferation of human GC organoids, whereas SFN enhanced it. Caspase 3 activities were also repressed on treatment with PEA and CA. Furthermore, the tumor formation and invasive activities were repressed on treatment with PEA and CA, whereas they were enhanced on treatment with SFN. These results in three-dimensional (3D)-GC organoids showed the different cancer development of phase II enzyme ligands in 2D-GC cells. ROS production and the expression of TP53, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (NRF2), and Jun dimerization protein 2 were also downregulated on treatment with PEA and CA, but not SFN. NRF2 knockdown reversed the effects of these antioxidant drugs on the invasive activities of the 3D-GC organoids. Moreover, ROS production was also inhibited by treatment with PEA and CA, but not SFN. Thus, NRF2 plays a key role in the differential effects of these antioxidant drugs on cancer progression in 3D-GC organoids. PEA and CA can potentially be new antitumorigenic therapeutics for GC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The objective of this study was to investigate the association between IL-8 rs4073, rs2227306, rs2227543, and rs1126647 genotypes and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the Taiwanese population. Our findings reveal that the A allele and AA genotype of IL-8 rs4073 are significantly associated with an increased susceptibility to CRC in Taiwan. This observation provides further evidence of the complex interplay between inflammation and carcinogenesis in CRC development. Furthermore, individuals with the AA genotype exhibit significantly higher levels of serum IL-8 expression. Combining IL-8 rs4073 genotyping with the assessment of IL-8 levels may have potential benefits in terms of the precise risk evaluation and early detection of CRC among patients. Interleukin-8 (IL-8), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, is upregulated in CRC and plays an important role in its development and progression. Genetic variants in the IL-8 gene may impact the risk of CRC by modulating IL-8 levels. Our primary objective was to investigate the role of IL-8 genotypes in the development of CRC. To accomplish this, we employed the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method to analyze the genotypes of IL-8 rs4017, rs2227306, rs2227543, and rs1126647 in 362 CRC patients and 362 controls. Additionally, we evaluated the interactions between these genotypes and factors such as age, gender, smoking, alcohol consumption, and body mass index (BMI) status in relation to the risk of CRC. Furthermore, we utilized quantitative reverse transcription-PCR to measure the serum IL-8. The results demonstrated a significant difference in the distribution of rs4017 genotypes between the control and case groups (p for trend = 0.0059). Logistic regression analysis revealed that individuals with variant AA genotype had a 1.92-fold higher CRC risk (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.28–2.89, p = 0.0023). Moreover, carriers of the IL-8 rs4017 AT + AA genotypes exhibited a significant association with CRC risk (odds ratio [OR] = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.02–1.91, p = 0.0460). Additionally, individuals with IL-8 rs4017 AA genotype displayed significantly elevated serum IL-8 compared to those with TT genotype at a 1.73–fold level (p < 0.0001), indicating a correlation between genotype and phenotype. In conclusion, the genotypes of IL-8 rs4017, along with their associated expression levels, can potentially serve as predictive markers for the risk of CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

About 80% of lung cancer patients are diagnosed with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). EGFR mutation and overexpression are common in NSCLC, thus making EGFR signaling a key target for therapy. While EGFR kinase inhibitors (EGFR–TKIs) are widely used and efficacious in treatment, increases in resistance and tumor recurrence with alternative survival pathway activation, such as that of AXL and MET, occur frequently. AXL is one of the EMT (epithelial–mesenchymal transition) signature genes, and EMT morphological changes are also responsible for EGFR–TKI resistance. MIG6 is a negative regulator of ERBB signaling and has been reported to be positively correlated with EGFR–TKI resistance, and downregulation of MIG6 by miR–200 enhances EMT transition. While MIG6 and AXL are both correlated with EMT and EGFR signaling pathways, how AXL, MIG6 and EGFR interplay in lung cancer remains elusive. Correlations between AXL and MIG6 expression were analyzed using Oncomine or the CCLE. A luciferase reporter assay was used for determining MIG6 promoter activity. Ectopic overexpression, RNA interference, Western blot analysis, qRT–PCR, a proximity ligation assay and a coimmunoprecipitation assay were performed to analyze the effects of certain gene expressions on protein–protein interaction and to explore the underlying mechanisms. An in vitro kinase assay and LC–MS/MS were utilized to determine the phosphorylation sites of AXL. In this study, we demonstrate that MIG6 is a novel substrate of AXL and is stabilized upon phosphorylation at Y310 and Y394/395 by AXL. This study reveals a connection between MIG6 and AXL in lung cancer. AXL phosphorylates and stabilizes MIG6 protein, and in this way EGFR signaling may be modulated. This study may provide new insights into the EGFR regulatory network and may help to advance cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backpack transportation is commonly used in daily life. Reducing the cost of the backpack on the human body is a widely researched subject. Suspended-load backpacks (SUSBs) based on forced vibration can effectively reduce the cost during movement. The intrinsic frequency of the SUSB is determined by the elastic components of the SUSB. Previous researchers used pulleys and rubber ropes as the elastic components. We propose a pre-compression design strategy based on pre-compression springs. Compared with previous studies, the use of pre-compression springs as elastic elements improves the reliability of the SUSB structure, avoids the inconvenience of nonlinearity and material aging, and adds the ability to flexibly adjust the sliding distance of the backpack. Moreover, previous studies utilized the relative motion between the carrying part and the backpack part to scavenge the vibration energy. We propose that the vibration energy can also be scavenged by the relative motion between the elastic components. A theoretical model is developed for the pre-compression SUSB. We experimentally confirm the performance of the pre-compression SUSB. This work provides new design ideas for SUSBs with reduced energy costs. In Part 2, we propose a bio-inspired pre-rotation design that has the advantage of occupying less space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backpack transportation is everywhere in daily life. Suspended-load backpacks (SUSBs) based on forced vibration have attracted lots of attention because of their ability to effectively reduce the cost on the body during motion. The smaller the natural frequency of SUSBs, the better the cost reduction. The natural frequency is determined by the elastic components of SUSBs. It is currently common to use rubber ropes and pulleys as elastic components. In the first part of this paper, we propose a pre-compression design for SUSBs, which has a simple structure and breaks through the limitation of rubber material. To make the natural frequency small enough, rubber ropes and compression springs require sufficient space. This leads to the current SUSBs being large and, therefore, not suitable for children to carry. Inspired by biology, here we propose a new design strategy of pre-rotation with pre-rotation spiral springs as elastic components. The pre-rotation design not only has the advantages of avoiding the inconvenience of material aging and the ability to adjust the downward sliding distance of the backpack but also greatly saves the space occupied by the elastic components, which can be adopted by small SUSBs. We have developed a theoretical model of the pre-rotation SUSBs and experimentally confirmed the performance of the pre-rotation SUSBs. This work provides a unique design approach for small SUSBs and small suspended-load devices. And the relative motion between the components inside the SUSB has a huge potential to be used by triboelectric nanogenerators for energy scavenging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study established a study framework to quantify the safety factors of unsaturated shallow slopes at different temperatures. This study is based on a non-isothermal soil water characteristic curve model quantifying the temperature-dependent hydraulic properties of soils. The hydraulic coupling analysis models HYDRUS 2D and The Slope Cube Module were used for finite element modeling. A slope stability analysis was performed based on the local factor of safety (LFS) theory. An increased temperature decreased the soil matric suction, suction stress, effective stress, and LFS, weakening the soil strength. Slope modeling analysis showed that soils were dominated by different water retention mechanisms before and after rainfall infiltration, and the trends caused by temperature changes also changed accordingly. This study provides insights into the relationship between soil mechanical properties and temperature, which is valuable for maintaining soil stability and preventing geological hazards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Febrile disease and age of children were associated with a variation in hemoglobin (Hb) level. Both CRP and Hb serve as laboratory markers that offer valuable insights into a patient's health, particularly in relation to inflammation and specific medical conditions. Although a direct correlation between CRP and Hb levels is not established, the relationship between these markers has garnered academic attention and investigation. This study aimed to determine updated reference ranges for Hb levels for age and investigated its correlation with CRP in febrile children under the age of 18. Methods: This is a cohort study of in Chang Gung Memorial Hospitals conducted from January 2010 to December 2019. Blood samples were collected from 98,572 febrile children who were or had been admitted in the pediatric emergency department. The parameters of individuals were presented as the mean ± standard deviation or 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles. We also determined the variation of Hb and Z score of Hb between CRP levels in febrile children. Result: We observed that the Hb levels were the highest immediately after birth and subsequently underwent a rapid decline, reaching their lowest point at around 1–2 months of age, and followed by a steady increment in Hb levels throughout childhood and adolescence. In addition, there was a significant and wide variation in Hb levels during the infant period. It revealed a significant association between higher CRP levels and lower Hb levels or a more negative Z score of Hb across all age subgroups. Moreover, in patients with bacteremia, CRP levels were higher, Hb concentrations were lower, and Z scores of Hb were also lower compared to the non-bacteremia group. Furthermore, the bacteremia group exhibited a more substantial negative correlation between CRP levels and a Z score of Hb (r = −0.41, p < 0.001) compared to the non-bacteremia group (r = −0.115, p < 0.049). Conclusion: The study findings revealed that the Hb references varied depending on the age of the children and their CRP levels. In addition, we established new reference values for Hb and its Z scores and explore their relationship with CRP. It provides valuable insights into the Hb status and its potential association with inflammation in febrile pediatric patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS), an all-encompassing perioperative care approach, has been demonstrated to enhance surgical results, mitigate postoperative issues, and decrease the length of hospital stay (LOS) in diverse surgical specialties. In this retrospective study, our objective was to examine the influence of muscle relaxant selection on LOS and perioperative results in adult patients undergoing open spine surgery. Specifically, we compared 201 patients who received cisatracurium and neostigmine with 201 patients who received rocuronium and sugammadex, after 1:1 propensity score matching. The utilization of the rocuronium and sugammadex combination in anesthesia for open spinal surgery did not lead to a reduction in the LOS but was associated with a decreased incidence of postoperative chest radiographic abnormalities, including infiltration, consolidation, atelectasis, or pneumonia (p = 0.027). In our secondary analysis, multivariate analysis revealed multiple determinants influencing the prolonged LOS (>7 days) during open spine surgery. Bispectral index-guided anesthesia emerged as a protective factor, while variables such as excessive intraoperative blood loss and fluid administration as well as postoperative chest radiographic abnormalities independently contributed to prolonged LOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to investigate the association between genotypes for mir146a and mir196a-2 and the risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). We used polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) to determine the mir146a rs2910164 and mir196a-2 rs11614913 genotypes in 362 CRC patients and 362 controls. We also assessed the interactions between these genotypes and age, gender, smoking, alcohol consumption, and BMI status on CRC risk. Additionally, the serum expression level of mir196a-2 was quantified using quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. Our findings demonstrated that among the controls, the proportions of TT, CT, and CC genotypes of mir196a-2 rs11614913 were 32.3%, 48.1%, and 19.6%, respectively. As for the cases, the proportions were 24.6%, 45.0%, and 30.4%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the CC genotype carriers had a 2.04-fold increased risk (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.36–3.06, p = 0.0008). Furthermore, carriers of the CT + CC genotypes also exhibited a significant association with CRC risk (odds ratio [OR] = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.06–2.03, p = 0.0261). Moreover, carriers of the CC genotype had significantly higher serum levels of mir196a-2 compared to those with the TT genotype (p < 0.0001), indicating a genotype-phenotype correlation. No association was found regarding mir146a rs2910164. In conclusion, mir196a-2 rs2910164 genotypes, along with their associated expression, can serve as predictive markers for CRC risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a compact planar Wi-Fi antenna with optimized radiation patterns for small uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) applications in both urban and open areas. It is suitable for mounting on the outermost side of the non-metallic wing of small UAVs. It has small dimensions of 16.5 mm (L) by 30.3 mm (W) by 1.6 mm (h), and the measured results of its prototype are in agreement with simulated data. Its impedance bandwidths over the two frequency ranges are 2.11 to 2.58 GHz and 5.06 to 7.5 GHz ( S 11 ≤ - 10   d B ). At 5.8 GHz, it has stronger radiation below the small UAV to reduce interference from rare-use directions. Its maximum radiations, the directions of the maximum radiation in each elevation plane, are below the UAV and between 14° and 29° from the horizontal plane. At 2.4 GHz, it has quasi-omnidirectional radiation to ensure a stable link in all directions, and its maximum radiations are near the horizontal plane. The optimized radiation patterns at 5.8 and 2.4 GHz can provide more antenna gain when the small UAV flies farther in urban and open areas, respectively. In addition, it has good vertically polarized radiation for long-distance applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resveratrol has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-aging pharmacological activities. There is currently a gap in academic research regarding the uptake, transport, and reduction of H2O2-induced oxidative damage of resveratrol in the Caco-2 cell model. This study investigated the role of resveratrol in the uptake, transport, and alleviation of H2O2-induced oxidative damage in Caco-2 cells. In the Caco-2 cell transport model, it was observed that the uptake and transport of resveratrol (10, 20, 40, and 80 μM) were time dependent and concentration dependent. Different temperatures (37 °C vs. 4 °C) could significantly affect the uptake and transportation of resveratrol. The apical to basolateral transport of resveratrol was markedly reduced by STF-31, a GLUT1 inhibitor, and siRNA intervention. Furthermore, resveratrol pretreatment (80 μM) improves the viability of Caco-2 cells induced by H2O2. In a cellular metabolite analysis combined with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, 21 metabolites were identified as differentials. These differential metabolites belong to the urea cycle, arginine and proline metabolism, glycine and serine metabolism, ammonia recycling, aspartate metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and other metabolic pathways. The transport, uptake, and metabolism of resveratrol suggest that oral resveratrol could prevent intestinal diseases caused by oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban road green belts, an essential component of Urban Green Space (UGS) planning, are vital in improving the urban environment and protecting public health. This work chooses Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) to optimize UGS planning and design methods in urban road green belts. Consequently, sensitivity-based self-organizing LSTM shows a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 1.75, 1.12, and 6.06, respectively. These values are superior to those of LSTM, XGBoost, and SVR. Furthermore, we configure three typical plant community models using the improved LSTM model and found that different plant community configurations have distinct effects on reducing PM 2.5 concentrations. The experimental results show that other plant community configuration models have specific effects on reducing PM 2.5 concentrations, and the multi-layered green space with high canopy density in the community has a better impact on PM 2.5 reduction than the single-layer green space model with low canopy density. We also assess the reduction function of green road spaces on PM 2.5, which revealed that under zero pollution or slight pollution (PM 2.5 < 100 μg.m−3), the green space significantly reduces PM 2.5. In UGS planning, the proposed model can help reveal UGS spatial morphology indicators that significantly impact PM 2.5 reduction, thereby facilitating the formulation of appropriate green space planning strategies. The finding will provide primary data for selecting urban road green space plant configuration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mineral nutrition plays an important role in crop growth, yield and quality. MiR156 is a regulatory hub for growth and development. To date, the understanding of miR156-mediated mineral homeostasis is limited. In this study, we overexpressed Nta-miR156a in the tobacco cultivar TN90 and analyzed the effects of miR156 on mineral element homeostasis in tobacco by comparative transcriptome analysis. The results showed that the overexpression of miR156a caused significant morphological changes in transgenic tobacco. Chlorophyll and three anti-resistance markers, proline, total phenolics, and total flavonoids, were altered due to increased miR156 expression levels. Interestingly, the distribution of Cu, Mn, Zn, and Fe in different tissues of transgenic tobacco was disordered compared with that of the wild type. Comparative transcriptome analysis showed that the overexpression of miR156 resulted in 2656 significantly differentially expressed genes. The expression levels of several metal-transport-related genes, such as NtABC, NtZIP, NtHMA, and NtCAX, were significantly increased or decreased in transgenic tobacco. These results suggest that miR156 plays an essential role in regulating mineral homeostasis. Our study provides a new perspective for the further study of mineral nutrient homeostasis in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid and accurate detection of changes in glucose (Glu) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentrations is essential for the predictive diagnosis of diseases. Electrochemical biosensors exhibiting high sensitivity, reliable selectivity, and rapid response provide an advantageous and promising solution. A porous two-dimensional conductive metal–organic framework (cMOF), Ni-HHTP (HHTP = 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexahydroxytriphenylene), was prepared by using a one-pot method. Subsequently, it was employed to construct enzyme-free paper-based electrochemical sensors by applying mass-producing screen-printing and inkjet-printing techniques. These sensors effectively determined Glu and H2O2 concentrations, achieving low limits of detection of 1.30 μM and 2.13 μM, and high sensitivities of 5573.21 μA μM−1 cm−2 and 179.85 μA μM−1 cm−2, respectively. More importantly, the Ni-HHTP-based electrochemical sensors showed an ability to analyze real biological samples by successfully distinguishing human serum from artificial sweat samples. This work provides a new perspective for the use of cMOFs in the field of enzyme-free electrochemical sensing, highlighting their potential for future applications in the design and development of new multifunctional and high-performance flexible electronic sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies have focused on the consequence of exposure to general anesthesia (GA) in children's early life with the risk of asthma and disease outcomes. The present study examines the correlation between exposure to GA under three years old and the subsequent course of asthma in a nationwide population-based cohort study. Our cases were acquired from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). Children under three years old with either GA exposure or not during in-patient treatment from 1997 to 2008 were included. The study group was age- and sex-matched with a ratio of 1:2 to create the control group for comparison. The cohort included 2261 cases with GA and 4522 cases without GA as a control group. The incidence of asthma onset was significantly reduced in patients with GA exposure under 3 three years old (hazard ratio 0.64 (95% confidence interval 0.57~0.72), p < 0.001). In addition, regardless of whether the asthmatic clinical visits were before or after GA exposure, asthma onset patients before GA exposure have significantly fewer clinical visits than those without GA exposure (both p < 0.001, respectively). Using the Kaplan–Meier method, we also demonstrated that GA exposure was associated with favorable clinical visits in patients with asthma, whether their asthma was onset before GA (p = 0.0102) or after GA exposure (p = 0.0418) compared to non-GA-exposed controls. In the present study, we demonstrated that children with early GA exposure under three years old were at a reduced risk of developing asthma compared to the general population. Furthermore, we first reported that GA exposure significantly reduced clinical visits in patients with asthma regardless of whether their asthma onset was before or after GA exposure. It is indicated that GA exposure at a younger age could have potential clinical benefits for asthma than non-GA-exposed controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to active orogenic movement and the monsoon climate, rainfall-induced landslide disasters often occur in Taiwan. Hence, hillslope hydrology and stability have received considerable research attention. However, it remains difficult to accurately estimate the duration and consequences of hillslope instability induced by hillslope hydrology. Research on hillslope hydrology and stability is complicated by spatial heterogeneity, hydrological processes operating at various scales, spatiotemporal evolution, and geomorphological properties. Recent advances in critical zone science have provided an approach to extend geoscience studies. The "deep coupling" concept is essential for integrating physical, chemical, and biological processes on various spatiotemporal scales and for providing a macro and unified framework for evaluating internal properties and processes. Critical zone science and hillslope hydrology and stability both depend on interdisciplinary perspectives and approaches, monitoring strategies, and model analysis of integrating and coupling processes. They both share the characteristics of spatial heterogeneity, continuous evolution, and relevance to ecosystem services. To address the challenges related to hillslope hydrology and stability in Taiwan, we reviewed the progress in, relevance between, and common challenges to hillslope hydrology, stability, and critical zone science. We then presented a process-based integrated monitoring strategy, an interdisciplinary perspective, and a coupling analysis framework and model. The aim of this study was to promote the advancement of research on hillslope stability and hydrology in Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Antrodin C, a maleimide derivative compound isolated from the ethanol extract of the mycelium of Antrodia cinnamomea, is an endemic fungus of Taiwan and a potential chemoprotective agent. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the mode of action of antrodin C on cancer cells, especially in human colorectal cancer (CRC), remain unclear. Methods: The cell death and ROS of the antrodin-C-treated HCT-116 cells were measured by annexin V–FITC/propidium iodide staining, DCFDA, and Fluo-3 fluorescence staining assays. Moreover, signaling molecules regulating TNFα cell death pathways and ROS/AKT/ERK/P38 pathways were also detected in cells treated with antrodin C by Western blotting and chromatin immunoprecipitation. The effects of antrodin C were determined in HCT-116 cell xenograft animal models in terms of tumor volumes and histopathological evaluation. Results: Treatment with antrodin C triggered the activation of extrinsic apoptosis pathways (TNFα, Bax, caspase-3, and -9), and also suppressed the expression of anti-apoptotic molecules Bcl-2 in HCT-116 cells in a time-dependent manner. Antrodin C also decreased cell proliferation and growth through the inactivation of cyclin D1/cyclin for the arrest of the cell cycle at the G1 phase. The activation of the ROS/AKT/ERK/P38 pathways was involved in antrodin-C-induced transcriptional activation, which implicates the role of the histone H3K9K14ac (Acetyl Lys9/Lys14) of the TNFα promoters. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that antrodin C treatment significantly induced TNFα levels, whereas it decreased the levels of PCNA, cyclin D1, cyclin E, and MMP-9 in an in vivo xenograft mouse model. Thus, antrodin C induces cell apoptosis via the activation of the ROS/AKT/ERK/P38 signaling modules, indicating a new mechanism for antrodin C to treat CRC in vitro and in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the mixotrophic growth of Escherichia coli based on recombinant 2-oxoglutarate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase (OGOR) to assimilate CO2 using malate as an auxiliary carbon source and hydrogen as an energy source. We employ a long-term (~184 days) two-stage adaptive evolution to convert heterotrophic E. coli into mixotrophic E. coli. In the first stage of evolution with serine, diauxic growth emerges as a prominent feature. At the end of the second stage of evolution with malate, the strain exhibits mixotrophy with CO2 as an essential substrate for growth. We expect this work will open new possibilities in the utilization of OGOR for microbial CO2 assimilation and future hydrogen-based electro-microbial conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In desert regions, aeolian sand is abundant, but it is not suitable to be used directly as the upper roadbed filler for highways. Generally, gravelly soil is mined around the desert as upper roadbed fill, resulting in high engineering expenses for road construction in the desert hinterland. Geocells have a significant reinforcing effect on aeolian sand. However, in the completed desert highway, the dynamic performance of geocell-reinforced aeolian sand as an upper layer of roadbed fill has not been studied. Using a field test method, the dynamic performance of geocell-reinforced aeolian sand as an upper roadbed fill is examined. The results show that the majority of the frequency distribution of road vibration is within 30 Hz. In the horizontal direction, the actual vibration amplitude decay on the side of geocell-reinforced aeolian sand is slower but smoother than on the side of gravelly soils. In vibration velocity, the work area depth of the geocell-reinforced aeolian sand side of the roadbed is less than that of the gravelly soil side. The maximum difference can reach 0.55 m. As far as vibration velocity is concerned, the 30 cm gravelly soils can be substituted with 15 cm geocell-reinforced aeolian sands as the upper roadbed. In summary, the dynamic attenuation characteristics of geocell-reinforced aeolian sand are superior to gravelly soils. The research results provide a reference for the design of the desert highway subgrade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chiral 2-substituted chromanes are important substructures in organic synthesis and appear in numerous natural products. Herein, the correlation between specific optical rotations (SORs) and the stereochemistry at C2 of chiral 2-substituted chromanes was investigated through data mining, quantum-chemical calculations using density functional theory (DFT), and mechanistic analyses. For 2-aliphatic (including acyloxy and alkenyl) chromanes, the P-helicity of the dihydropyran ring usually corresponds to a positive SOR; however, 2-aryl chromanes with P-helicity tend to exhibit negative SORs. 2-Carboxyl (including alkoxycarbonyl and carbonyl) chromanes often display small experimental SORs, and theoretical calculations for them are prone to error because of the fluctuating conformational distribution with computational parameters. Several typical compounds were discussed, including detailed descriptions of the asymmetric synthesis, absolute configuration (AC) assignment methods, and systematic conformational analysis. We hope this work will enrich the knowledge of the stereochemistry of chiral 2-substituted chromanes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: The objective was to decrease patient menopausal symptoms, sleep disturbance, and body image using a nonpharmacological therapy for cultivating key healthy lifestyle habits in patients with breast cancer. Materials and Methods: The participants were 26 women with breast cancer who had recently received structured mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training in a clinical trial. Focus groups and interviews were conducted, during which the participants were asked semistructured, open-ended questions regarding the experiences of MBSR. Results: The participants indicated that MBSR helped them to alleviate hot flashes and night sweats, and improve sleep quality and be more at ease with the external aspect of their body. On the other hand, during MBSR intervention in a group manner, the participants felt more psychological support and an outlet for sharing negative emotional experiences. Conclusion: This study identified the short-term benefits associated with group-based MBSR for women with breast cancer. In addition, our research identified the difficulties of intervention measures and coping methods. The study described the benefits of MBSR for patients with breast cancer. The findings of this study will help nursing staff identify the main coping menopausal symptoms and control negative mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acoustic flame suppression is a potential technology which does away with the need to carry fire-extinguishing media and does not cause secondary pollution. We herein reported an experimental study on the displacement and extinction of jet diffusion flames exposed to speaker-generated traveling sound waves with a frequency of 110–150 Hz and local sound pressure of 2–16 Pa. The simultaneous movement of the flame and fuel was captured using a high-speed camera and schlieren techniques. Results showed that the flame oscillation was dominated by induced wind produced by membrane vibrations instead of sound pressure, and this induced wind's frequency was the same as that of sound waves. Moreover, the movement of unburned fuel and flame was not synchronous, which resulted in an interrupted fuel–flame cycle. Consequently, the flame was gradually suppressed and completely extinguished after several oscillation cycles. Finally, we determined the extinction criterion that when the dimensionless gap between the flame and the unburned fuel was greater than or equal to 7, the flame would be extinguished. Results clearly revealed the mechanism of acoustic fire extinguishing, which provided reference for the feasibility of acoustic fire-extinguishing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gentamicin (GEN) is a kind of aminoglycoside antibiotic with the adverse effect of nephrotoxicity. Currently, no effective measures against the nephrotoxicity have been approved. In the present study, epigallocatechin gallate (EG), a useful ingredient in green tea, was used to attenuate its nephrotoxicity. EG was shown to largely attenuate the renal damage and the increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the decrease of glutathione (GSH) in GEN-injected rats. In NRK-52E cells, GEN increased the cellular ROS in the early treatment phase and ROS remained continuously high from 1.5 H to 24 H. Moreover, EG alleviated the increase of ROS and MDA and the decrease of GSH caused by GEN. Furthermore, EG activated the protein levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). After the treatment of GEN, the protein level of cleaved-caspase-3, the flow cytometry analysis and the JC-1 staining, the protein levels of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and SLC7A11, were greatly changed, indicating the occurrence of both apoptosis and ferroptosis, whereas EG can reduce these changes. However, when Nrf2 was knocked down by siRNA, the above protective effects of EG were weakened. In summary, EG attenuated GEN-induced nephrotoxicity by suppressing apoptosis and ferroptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzed the potential of landslides induced by the interaction between rainfall and earthquakes. Dapu Township and Alishan Township in Chiayi County, southern Taiwan, were included as study areas. From satellite images and the literature, we collected data for multiple years and time series and then used the random forest data mining algorithm for satellite image interpretation. A hazard index for the interaction between earthquakes and rainfall (IHERI) was proposed, and an index for the degree of land disturbance (IDLD) was estimated to explore the characteristics of IHERI under specific natural environmental and slope land use conditions. The results revealed that among the investigated disaster-causing factors, the degree of slope land use disturbance, the slope of the natural environment, and rainfall exerted the strongest effect on landslide occurrence. When IHERI or IDLD was higher, the probability of a landslide also increased, and under conditions of a similar IDLD, the probability of landslides increased as the IHERI value increased, and vice versa. Thus, given the interaction between rainfall and earthquakes in the study area, the effect of the degree of slope land use disturbance on landslides should not be ignored. The results of a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated that the areas under the ROC curve for landslides induced by different trigger factors were all above 0.94. The results indicate that the area in which medium–high-level landslides are induced by an interaction between rainfall and earthquakes is large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Quality of life and sleep quality of college students were extensively studied. The present study evaluated sleep quality and quality of life of college students in Taiwan by using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), respectively. Materials and Methods: Data of 1756 college students aged 20–24 years were collected in this study. Association rule analysis was also used to provide a graphics-based visualization of the relationships between data, enabling the rapid identification of data correlations. Results: The results showed that the average physical component scale (PCS) and average mental component scale (MCS) scores were 52.9 and 44.1, respectively. Based on their body mass index (BMI), participants were divided into underweight, normal, overweight, and obese groups. The results of one-way analysis of variance showed that the p values for the PSQI, PCS, and MCS scores were 3.5 × 10−5, 1.7 × 10−5, and 0.671, respectively. The normal and overweight groups had the lowest PSQI scores. The PCS score of the obese group was lower than that of normal and overweight groups. The p values of the t-test result among PSQI, BMI, PCS, and MCS groups were 0.002, <2 × 10−16, and <2 × 10−16, respectively. The good sleep quality group had higher PCS and MCS scores. Conclusions: In this study, the results of association rule analysis indicated two distinct groups: Group 1, with the characteristics of good sleep quality as revealed by the high MCS and PCS scores, and Group 2, with the characteristics of poor sleep quality as revealed by low MCS and PCS scores and underweight BMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Size is the most important quality attribute of giant pumpkin fruit. Different concentrations and application frequencies of α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 24-epibrassinolide (EBR) were sprayed on the leaves and fruits of giant pumpkin at different growth stages to determine their effects and the mechanism responsible for fruit size increase. NAA+EBR application improved source strength, and further analysis indicated that NAA+EBR markedly boosted net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr) and the expression level and activity of galactitol synthetase (GolS), raffinose synthetase (RS), and stachyose synthetase (STS), resulting in an increase in the synthesis of photoassimilate, especially stachyose. Concomitantly, NAA+EBR spray increased stachyose and sucrose contents throughout pumpkin fruit growth and the concentrations of glucose and fructose at 0 and 20 days post-anthesis (DPA) in peduncle phloem sap, implying that such treatment improved the efficiency of assimilate transport from the peduncle to the fruit. Furthermore, it improved the expression and activity of alkaline α-galactosidase (AGA), facilitating assimilate unloading, providing carbon skeletons and energy for fruit growth, and increasing fruit weight by more than 44.1%. Therefore, exogenous NAA and EBR increased source capacity, transportation efficiency, and sink strength, overall promoting the synthesis and distribution of photoassimilate, ultimately increasing fruit size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bernese mountain dogs (BMDs), have an overall cancer incidence of 50%, half of which is comprised of an otherwise rare tumor, histiocytic sarcoma (HS). While recent studies have identified driver mutations in the MAPK pathway, identification of key predisposing genes has been elusive. Studies have identified several loci to be associated with predisposition to HS in BMDs, including near the MTAP/CDKN2A region, but no causative coding variant has been identified. Here we report the presence of a coding polymorphism in the gene encoding FANCG, near the MTAP/CDKN2A locus. This variant is in a conserved region of the protein and appears to be specific to BMDs. Canine fibroblasts derived from dogs homozygous for this variant are hypersensitive to cisplatin. We show this canine FANCG variant and a previously defined hypomorphic FANCG allele in humans impart similar defects in DNA repair. However, our data also indicate that this variant is neither necessary nor sufficient for the development of HS. Furthermore, BMDs homozygous for this FANCG allele display none of the characteristic phenotypes associated with Fanconi anemia (FA) such as anemia, short stature, infertility, or an earlier age of onset for HS. This is similar to findings in FA deficient mice, which do not develop overt FA without secondary genetic mutations that exacerbate the FA deficit. In sum, our data suggest that dogs with deficits in the FA pathway are, like mice, innately resistant to the development of FA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Friction nonlinearity, which is common in electromechanical actuator (EMA) systems, leads to undesired dynamic responses such as "flat top", low-speed crawl, which brings challenges to high precision attitude control of flight vehicles. In order to improve the robustness of the actuator control system under friction nonlinearity, and suppress the chattering caused by high gain of sliding mode control (SMC), a composite SMC scheme based on modified extended state observer (MESO) is proposed. Nonlinear MESO is adopted for estimating the nonlinear friction dynamics, unmodeled disturbance, and external real-time load dynamics so as to compensate for their adverse effect. At the same time, in order to improve the robustness of EMA, and reduce the tracking error of the servo system, SMC is adopted to ensure the tracking error convergence in a finite time. The stability of the proposed method is proved, and the effectiveness is verified by simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteosarcoma (OSA) is the most common bone tumor in both humans and dogs and has a nearly ten-fold higher incidence in dogs than humans. Despite advances in the treatment of other cancers, the overall survival rates for OSA have stagnated for the past four decades. Therefore, there is a great need to identify novel and effective treatments. We screened a series of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and selected sorafenib, a multi-kinase inhibitor, for further evaluation alone and in combination with cisplatin, carboplatin, and doxorubicin on canine and human OSA cell lines. Our data point to synergistic effects when sorafenib is combined with doxorubicin, but not when combined with cisplatin or carboplatin, in both human and canine OSA. Based on current findings, clinical trials using a combination of doxorubicin and sorafenib in proof-of-concept studies in dogs are warranted. These studies can be carried out relatively quickly in dogs where case load is high and, in turn, provide useful data for the initiation of clinical trials in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is considered an intermediate state between normal aging and early dementia. Fear of falling (FOF) could be considered a risk indicator for falls and quality of life in individuals with MCI. Our objective was to explore factors associated with FOF in those with MCI due to Alzheimer's disease (AD-MCI) and mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD-MCI). Seventy-one participants were separated into two groups, AD-MCI (n = 37) and PD-MCI (n = 34), based on the disease diagnosis. FOF was assessed using the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale. The neuropsychological assessment and gait assessment were also measured. FOF was significantly correlated with global cognitive function, attention and working memory, executive function, Tinetti assessment scale scores, gait speed, and stride length in the AD-MCI group. Moreover, attention and working memory were the most important factors contributing to FOF. In the PD-MCI group, FOF was significantly correlated with gait speed, and time up and go subtask performance. Furthermore, turn-to-walk was the most important factor contributing to FOF. We noted that FOF in different types of MCI was determined by different factors. Therapies that aim to lower FOF in AD-MCI and PD-MCI populations may address attention and working memory and turn-to-walk, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internet-based applications (apps) are rapidly developing in the e-Health era to assess the dietary intake of essential macro-and micro-nutrients for precision nutrition. We, therefore, validated the accuracy of an internet-based app against the Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR), assessing these essential nutrients among various social-ethnic diet types. The agreement between the two measures using intraclass correlation coefficients was good (0.85) for total calories, but moderate for caloric ranges outside of <1000 (0.75) and >2000 (0.57); and good (>0.75) for most macro- (average: 0.85) and micro-nutrients (average: 0.83) except cobalamin (0.73) and calcium (0.51). The app underestimated nutrients that are associated with protein and fat (protein: −5.82%, fat: −12.78%, vitamin B12: −13.59%, methionine: −8.76%, zinc: −12.49%), while overestimated nutrients that are associated with carbohydrate (fiber: 6.7%, B9: 9.06%). Using artificial intelligence analytics, we confirmed the factors that could contribute to the differences between the two measures for various essential nutrients, and they included caloric ranges; the differences between the two measures for carbohydrates, protein, and fat; and diet types. For total calories, as an example, the source factors that contributed to the differences between the two measures included caloric range (<1000 versus others), fat, and protein; for cobalamin: protein, American, and Japanese diets; and for folate: caloric range (<1000 versus others), carbohydrate, and Italian diet. In the e-Health era, the internet-based app has the capacity to enhance precision nutrition. By identifying and integrating the effects of potential contributing factors in the algorithm of output readings, the accuracy of new app measures could be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Both the annotation and identification of genes in pathogenic parasites remain challenging. As a survival factor, nitric oxide (NO) has been proven to be synthesized in Trichomonas vaginalis (TV). However, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) has not yet been annotated in the TV genome. By aligning whole coding sequences of TV against a thousand sequences of known proteins from other organisms via the Smith–Waterman and Needleman–Wunsch algorithms, we developed a witness-to-suspect strategy to identify incorrectly annotated genes in TV. A novel NOS of TV (TV NOS) with a high witness-to-suspect ratio, which was originally annotated as a hydrogenase in the NCBI database, was successfully identified. We then performed in silico modeling of the protein structure and the molecular docking of all cofactors (NADPH, tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), heme and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)), cloned the gene, expressed and purified the protein, and ultimately performed mass spectrometry analysis and enzymatic activity assays. We clearly showed that although the predicted structure of TV NOS is not similar to that of NOS proteins of other species, all cofactor-binding motifs can interact with their ligands with high affinities. Most importantly, the purified protein is a functional NOS, as it has a high enzymatic activity for generating NO in vitro. This study provides an innovative approach to identify incorrectly annotated genes. Both the annotation and identification of genes in pathogenic parasites are still challenging. Although, as a survival factor, nitric oxide (NO) has been proven to be synthesized in Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) has not yet been annotated in the TV genome. We developed a witness-to-suspect strategy to identify incorrectly annotated genes in TV via the Smith–Waterman and Needleman–Wunsch algorithms through in-depth and repeated alignment of whole coding sequences of TV against thousands of sequences of known proteins from other organisms. A novel NOS of TV (TV NOS), which was annotated as hydrogenase in the NCBI database, was successfully identified; this TV NOS had a high witness-to-suspect ratio and contained all the NOS cofactor-binding motifs (NADPH, tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), heme and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) motifs). To confirm this identification, we performed in silico modeling of the protein structure and cofactor docking, cloned the gene, expressed and purified the protein, performed mass spectrometry analysis, and ultimately performed an assay to measure enzymatic activity. Our data showed that although the predicted structure of the TV NOS protein was not similar to the structure of NOSs of other species, all cofactor-binding motifs could interact with their ligands with high affinities. We clearly showed that the purified protein had high enzymatic activity for generating NO in vitro. This study provides an innovative approach to identify incorrectly annotated genes in TV and highlights a novel NOS that might serve as a virulence factor of TV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]