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Major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD) share clinical features, which complicates their differentiation in clinical settings. This study proposes an innovative approach that integrates structural connectome analysis with machine learning models to discern individuals with MDD from individuals with BD. High-resolution MRI images were obtained from individuals diagnosed with MDD or BD and from HCs. Structural connectomes were constructed to represent the complex interplay of brain regions using advanced graph theory techniques. Machine learning models were employed to discern unique connectivity patterns associated with MDD and BD. At the global level, both BD and MDD patients exhibited increased small-worldness compared to the HC group. At the nodal level, patients with BD and MDD showed common differences in nodal parameters primarily in the right amygdala and the right parahippocampal gyrus when compared with HCs. Distinctive differences were found mainly in prefrontal regions for BD, whereas MDD was characterized by abnormalities in the left thalamus and default mode network. Additionally, the BD group demonstrated altered nodal parameters predominantly in the fronto-limbic network when compared with the MDD group. Moreover, the application of machine learning models utilizing structural brain parameters demonstrated an impressive 90.3% accuracy in distinguishing individuals with BD from individuals with MDD. These findings demonstrate that combined structural connectome and machine learning enhance diagnostic accuracy and may contribute valuable insights to the understanding of the distinctive neurobiological signatures of these psychiatric disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant glutathione peroxidases (GPXs) are the main enzymes in the antioxidant defense system that sustain H2O2 homeostasis and normalize plant reaction to abiotic stress conditions. However, the genome-wide identification of the GPX gene family and its responses to environmental stresses, especially salt stress, in Nitraria sibirica, which is a shrub that can survive in saline environments, has not yet been reported. Here, we first report the genome-wide analysis of the GPX gene family in N. sibirica, leading to a total of seven NsGPX genes that are distributed on six of the twelve chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that NsGPX genes were grouped into four major groups (Group I-IV). Three types of cis-acting elements were identified in the NsGPX promoters, mainly related to hormones and stress response. The quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis indicated that NsGPX1 and NsGPX3 were significantly up-regulated in stem and leaf, while NsGPX7 transcriptionally in root in response to salt stress. The current study identified a total seven NsGPX genes in N. sibirica via genome-wide analysis, and discovered that NsGPXs may play an important role in response to salt stress. Taken together, our findings provide a basis for further functional studies of NsGPX genes, especially in regarding to the resistance to salt stress of this halophyte plant N. sibirica, eventually aid in the discovery of new methods to restore overtly saline soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic foot ulceration is a common chronic diabetic complication. Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) have been widely used in regenerative medicine owing to their multipotency and easy availability. We developed poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based scaffold to create hUC-MSC tissue sheets. In vitro immunostaining showed that hUC-MSC tissue sheets formed thick and solid tissue sheets with an abundance of extracellular matrix (ECM). Diabetic wounds in mice treated with or without either the hUC-MSC tissue sheet, hUC-MSC injection, or fiber only revealed that hUC-MSC tissue sheet transplantation promoted diabetic wound healing with improved re-epithelialization, collagen deposition, blood vessel formation and maturation, and alleviated inflammation compared to that observed in other groups. Taken collectively, our findings suggest that hUC-MSCs cultured on PLGA scaffolds improve diabetic wound healing, collagen deposition, and angiogenesis, and provide a novel and effective method for cell transplantation, and a promising alternative for diabetic skin wound treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitraria sibirica is a shrub that can survive in extreme drought environments. The auxin-response factors (ARFs) are a class of transcription factors that are widely involved in plant growth and development, as well as in the regulation of stress resistance. However, the genome-wide identification of the ARF gene family and its responses to environmental stresses, especially drought stress, in N. sibirica has not yet been reported. Here, we identified a total of 12 ARF genes in the genome of N. sibirica, which were distributed over 10 chromosomes and divided into three clades. Intragenome synteny analysis revealed one collinear gene pair in the ARF gene family, i.e., NsARF9a and NsARF9b. Cis-acting element analysis showed that multiple hormones and stress-responsive cis-acting elements were found in the promoters of NsARFs, suggesting that NsARFs may be involved in multiple biological processes. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) showed that many NsARFs had tissue-specific expression patterns, with the highest expression of NsARF16 in the seedlings of N. sibirica. In addition, most of the NsARFs that were upregulated under drought were independent of endogenous ABA biosynthesis, whereas the response of NsARF5 and NsARF7a to drought was disrupted by the ABA-biosynthesis inhibitor fluridone. These studies provide a basis for further research into how NsARFs in N. sibirica respond to hormonal signaling and environmental stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart failure (HF) is the leading cause of death worldwide. The most effective HF treatment is heart transplantation, the use of which is restricted by the limited supply of donor hearts. The human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC), including human embryonic stem cell (hESC) and the induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC), could be produced in an infinite manner and differentiated into cardiomyocytes (CMs) with high efficiency. The hPSC-CMs have, thus, offered a promising alternative for heart transplant. In this review, we introduce the tissue-engineering technologies for hPSC-CM, including the materials for cell culture and tissue formation, and the delivery means into the heart. The most recent progress in clinical application of hPSC-CMs is also introduced. In addition, the bottleneck limitations and future perspectives for clinical translation are further discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its distinctive graphene-like structure and high specific capacity. However, its commercial application is hindered by the severe volume expansion during lithiation/delithiation and poor conductivity. In this paper, we report a facile one-pot enhanced hydrothermal synthesis strategy to prepare high-performance MoS2/C composite materials. The results indicate that the as-prepared MoS2/C composite is a subspheroidal core–shell structure material, with uniform coating, good particle dispersion, and an average grain size of approximately 80 nm. The morphology of the composite remained unchanged even after annealing at 500 °C for 2 h. The addition of glucose can accelerate the nucleation and growth of MoS2, and higher hydrothermal temperatures can improve the product yield. The addition of PVP has little effect on the yield, but significantly reduces the particle size. The XPS analysis reveals that the MoO3 may be generated as an intermediate product during the hydrothermal process. The electrochemical test results show that the unannealed MoS2/C samples exhibit discharge-specific capacities of 705.2 mAh·g−1 and 625.7 mAh·g−1 after the first cycle and the 100th cycle, respectively, at a current density of 500 mA·g−1, with a capacity retention rate of 88.7%. In contrast, the specific capacity of the MoS2/C specimens after annealing at 500 °C for 2 h shows a tendency to decrease and then slowly increase during the cycles, and the discharge specific capacity is 582.3 mAh·g−1 after the 100th cycle, which is lower than that of the unheated sample. The impedance analysis reveals that the lithium-ion diffusion coefficient of the MoS2/C material without calcination is 2.11 × 10−18 cm·s−2, which is superior to that of the annealed MoS2/C and pristine MoS2 samples. This characteristic is favorable for lithiation/delithiation during the charge/discharge process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Machine learning methods have shown promise in accurately identifying small lung nodules. However, further exploration is needed to fully harness the potential of machine learning in distinguishing between benign and malignant nodules. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a ResNet50-Ensemble Voting model for detecting the nature (benign or malignant) of small pulmonary nodules (less than 20 mm) based on CT images. This study involved 834 CT imaging data from 396 patients with small pulmonary nodules. CT image features were extracted using ResNet50 and VGG16 algorithms, and classification was performed using XGBoost, SVM, and Ensemble Voting techniques, incorporating ten different combinations of machine learning classifiers. Among the models tested, the ResNet50-Ensemble Voting algorithm demonstrated the highest performance in the test set, achieving an accuracy of 0.943 (0.938, 0.948), with sensitivity and specificity values of 0.964 and 0.911, respectively. The implementation of machine learning models, particularly the ResNet50-Ensemble Voting approach, showed excellent performance in accurately identifying benign and malignant small pulmonary nodules (less than 20 mm) from diverse sources. These models have the potential to assist doctors in accurately diagnosing the nature of early-stage lung nodules in clinical practice. Background: The early detection of benign and malignant lung tumors enabled patients to diagnose lesions and implement appropriate health measures earlier, dramatically improving lung cancer patients' quality of living. Machine learning methods performed admirably when recognizing small benign and malignant lung nodules. However, exploration and investigation are required to fully leverage the potential of machine learning in distinguishing between benign and malignant small lung nodules. Objective: The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the ResNet50-Ensemble Voting model for detecting the benign and malignant nature of small pulmonary nodules (<20 mm) based on CT images. Methods: In this study, 834 CT imaging data from 396 patients with small pulmonary nodules were gathered and randomly assigned to the training and validation sets in an 8:2 ratio. ResNet50 and VGG16 algorithms were utilized to extract CT image features, followed by XGBoost, SVM, and Ensemble Voting techniques for classification, for a total of ten different classes of machine learning combinatorial classifiers. Indicators such as accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were used to assess the models. The collected features are also shown to investigate the contrasts between them. Results: The algorithm we presented, ResNet50-Ensemble Voting, performed best in the test set, with an accuracy of 0.943 (0.938, 0.948) and sensitivity and specificity of 0.964 and 0.911, respectively. VGG16-Ensemble Voting had an accuracy of 0.887 (0.880, 0.894), with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.952 and 0.784, respectively. Conclusion: Machine learning models that were implemented and integrated ResNet50-Ensemble Voting performed exceptionally well in identifying benign and malignant small pulmonary nodules (<20 mm) from various sites, which might help doctors in accurately diagnosing the nature of early-stage lung nodules in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid advancements in gene therapy have opened up new possibilities for treating genetic disorders, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy, thalassemia, cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, and familial hypercholesterolemia. The utilization of the clustered, regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) system has revolutionized the field of gene therapy by enabling precise targeting of genes. In recent years, CRISPR/Cas9 has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in treating cancer and genetic diseases. However, the susceptibility of nucleic acid drugs to degradation by nucleic acid endonucleases necessitates the development of functional vectors capable of protecting the nucleic acids from enzymatic degradation while ensuring safety and effectiveness. This review explores the biomedical potential of non-viral vector-based CRISPR/Cas9 systems for treating genetic diseases. Furthermore, it provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in viral and non-viral vector-based gene therapy for genetic disorders, including preclinical and clinical study insights. Additionally, the review analyzes the current limitations of these delivery systems and proposes avenues for developing novel nano-delivery platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible polymer-based magnetoelectric (ME) materials have broad application prospects and are considered as a new research field. In this article, FeCoSiB thin films were deposited on poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) (PVDF-TrFE) substrate by DC magnetron sputtering. The structure of PVDF-TrFE/FeCoSiB heterostructure thin films was similar to 2-2. Under a bias magnetic field of 70 Oe, the composites have a dramatically increased ME voltage coefficient as high as 111 V/cm⋅Oe at a frequency of about 85 kHz. The piezoelectric coefficient of PVDF-TrFE thin films is 34.87 pC/N. The surface morphology of PVDF-TrFE thin films were studied by FESEM, and the results of XRD and FTIR showed that the β-phase of PVDF-TrFE thin films was dominant. Meanwhile, the effects of different heating conditions on the crystallization and piezoelectric properties of PVDF-TrFE films were also studied. The flexible ME heterojunction composite has a significant ME voltage coefficient and excellent piezoelectric properties at room temperature, which allows it to be a candidate material for developing flexible magnetoelectric devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The calcineurin B-like-interacting protein kinase (CIPK) protein family plays a key role in the plant calcium ion-mediated signal transduction pathway, which regulates a plant's response to abiotic stress. Nitraria sibirica pall. (N. sibirica) is a halophyte with a strong tolerance for high salt environments, yet how it is able to deal with salt stress on a molecular level is still unknown. Due to their function as described in other plant species, CIPK genes are prime candidates for a role in salt stress signaling in N. sibirica. In this study, we identified and analyzed the phylogenetic makeup and gene expression of the N. sibirica CIPK gene family. A total of 14 CIPKs were identified from the N. sibirica genome and were clustered into seven groups based on their phylogeny. The promoters of NsCIPK genes contained multiple elements involved in hormonal and stress response. Synteny analysis identified a total of three pairs of synteny relationships between NsCIPK genes. Each gene showed its own specific expression pattern across different tissues, with the overall expression of CIPK6 being the lowest, and that of CIPK20 being the highest. Almost all CIPK genes tended to respond to salt, drought, and cold stress, but with different sensitivity levels. In this study, we have provided a general description of the NsCIPK gene family and its expression, which will be of great significance for further understanding of the NsCIPK gene family function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of novel 2-pyridyl, 4-morpholinyl substituted thiazolo[5,4-b]pyridine analogues have been designed and synthesized in this paper. These thiazolo[5,4-b]pyridines were efficiently prepared in seven steps from commercially available substances in moderate to good yields. All of these N-heterocyclic compounds were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) analysis and tested for phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) enzymatic assay. The results indicated that these N-heterocyclic compounds showed potent PI3K inhibitory activity, and the IC50 of a representative compound (19a) could reach to 3.6 nm. The structure−activity relationships (SAR) study showed that sulfonamide functionality was important for PI3Kα inhibitory activity, and 2-chloro-4-florophenyl sulfonamide (19b), or 5-chlorothiophene-2-sulfonamide (19c) showed potent inhibitory activity with a nanomolar IC50 value. The pyridyl attached to thiazolo[5,4-b]pyridine was another key structural unit for PI3Kα inhibitory potency, and replacement by phenyl lead to a significant decrease in activity. Enzymatic Inhibition results showed that compound 19a inhibited PI3Kα, PI3Kγ, or PI3Kδ with a nanomolar IC50 value, but its inhibitory activity on PI3Kβ was approximately 10-fold reduced. Further docking analysis revealed that the N-heterocyclic core of compound 19a was directly involved in the binding to the kinase through the key hydrogen bonds interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient and instant detection of biological threat-agent anthrax is highly desired in the fields of medical care and anti-terrorism. Herein, a new ratiometric fluorescence (FL) nanoprobe was elaborately tailored for the determination of 2,6-dipicolinic acid (DPA), a biomarker of anthrax spores, by grafting terbium ions (Tb3+) to the surface of carbon dots (CDs). CDs with blue FL were fabricated by a simple and green method using schizochytrium as precursor and served as an FL reference and a supporting substrate for coordination with Tb3+. On account of the absorbance energy transfer emission effect (AETE), green emission peaks of Tb3+ in CDs-Tb nanoprobe appeared at 545 nm upon the addition of DPA. Under optimal conditions, good linearity between the ratio FL intensity of F545/F445 and the concentrations of DPA was observed within the experimental concentration range of 0.5–6 μM with the detection limit of 35.9 nM, which is superior to several literature studies and significantly lower than the infectious dosage of the Bacillus anthracis spores. Moreover, the CDs-Tb nanoprobe could sensitively detect DPA in the lake water sample. This work offers an efficient self-calibrating and background-free method for the determination of DPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing effective methods for the instant detection of Cu2+ and S2− is highly desired in the biological and environmental fields. Herein, a novel fluorescent nanoprobe was elaborately designed and synthesized by grafting a phenanthroline derivative onto the surface of carbon dots (CDs). The obtained functionalized CDs (FCDs) exhibited blue fluorescence (FL) with excellent photostability and possessed a mean diameter around 4 nm. Cu2+ can be selectively captured by the phenanthroline group of FCDs to generate an absorptive complex in situ, leading to obvious quenching of the FCDs' FL signal through an inner filter effect. Furthermore, the FL of the FCD–Cu2+ can be effectively recovered by S2− anions due to the release of FCDs from the FCD–Cu2+ complex owing to the formation of stable CuS (Ksp = 1.27 × 10−36) between S2− and Cu2+. The detection limits of the FCDs were determined to be 40.1 nM and 88.9 nM for Cu2+ and S2−, respectively. Moreover, this nanoprobe can also be used for the imaging of intracellular Cu2+ and S2−, which shows strong application prospects in the field of biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major causal agents Fusarium graminearum (F. graminearum) and Fusarium asiaticum could produce multiple mycotoxins in infected wheat, which threatens the health of humans and animals. Specifically, deoxynivalenol (DON) and its derivatives 3- and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-ADON and 15-ADON) are commonly detected mycotoxins in cereal grains. However, the good chromatographic separation of 3-ADON and 15-ADON remains challenging. Here, an LC-MS/MS method for the chemotype determination of Fusarium strains was developed and validated. 3- and 15-ADON could be separated chromatographically in this study with sufficiently low limits of detection (LODs; 4 μg/kg) and limits of quantification (LOQs; 8 μg/kg). The satisfying intraday and interday reproducibility (both %RSDr and %RSDR were <20%) of this method indicated good stability. The recoveries of all analytes were in the range of 80–120%. In addition, three F. graminearum complex (FGC) strains, i.e., PH-1 (chemotype 15-ADON), F-1 (chemotype 3-ADON) and 5035 (chemotype 15-ADON), were selected to verify the accuracy of the method in differentiating phenotypes. The validation results showed that this LC-MS/MS method based on sample pretreatment is effective and suitable for the chromatographic separation of 3-ADON and 15-ADON in wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the method of applying cognitive radar technology to marine radar is studied, and the cognitive marine radar structure and transmitted signal model with three control parameters are constructed. The selection method of waveform control parameters, which is based on the target spatial distribution and the reference target detection effect with the minimum emission energy as the criterion, is given. The transmission signal control selection method given in this paper can flexibly realize different emission signal groups of m × n × p groups by independently setting the values m, n and p of three control parameters. It does not require radar hardware circuit reconstruction to meet the radar waveform changes. This is more convenient for the technical realization of cognitive marine radar. According to the method of this paper, a cognitive marine radar test system was constructed. The experimental results show that the proposed radar could reduce the emission energy by 15.9 dB compared with the traditional fixed-parameter pulse compression marine radar under the experimental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]