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In this study, xanthine oxidase was immobilized for the first time using a novel magnetic metal–organic framework material (Fe3O4-SiO2-NH2@MnO2@ZIF-8-NH2). A ligand fishing method was established to rapidly screen XOD inhibitors from Ligusticum wallichii based on the immobilized XOD. Characterization and properties of the immobilized enzyme revealed its excellent stability and reusability. A ligand was screened from Ligusticum wallichii and identified as ligustilide by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The IC50 value of ligustilide was determined to be 27.70 ± 0.13 μM through in vitro inhibition testing. Furthermore, molecular docking verified that ligustilide could bind to amino acid residues at the active site of XOD. This study provides a rapid and effective method for the preliminary screening of XOD inhibitors from complex natural products and has great potential for further discovery of anti-hyperuricemic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motion sickness (MS) is a common physiological response that often occurs when individuals are exposed to environments with repeated acceleration stimuli. MS results from a mismatch between the vestibular system and visual and proprioceptive inputs. As a crucial organ for sensing acceleration stimuli, the vestibular system is closely related to the onset of MS. However, the complex pathogenesis of MS has led to its diagnosis primarily relying on subjective questionnaires, with a lack of objective indicators for evaluation. To identify objective indicators for evaluating MS, we conducted rotating chair stop experiments based on the principle of vestibulo-ocular reflex with 65 volunteers, obtaining their nystagmus slow-phase velocity and related time constants. Additionally, we conducted detailed MS questionnaires with these volunteers to assess their MS susceptibility. Through correlation analysis, we explored whether the nystagmus slow-phase velocity and related time constants significantly correlated with the MS questionnaire scores. The results showed significant positive correlations between the maximal nystagmus slow-phase velocity, cupula time constant, velocity storage time constant, and the nystagmus duration with the MS questionnaire scores in the 65 volunteers. These results indicated that these nystagmus parameters could serve as objective indicators for assessing MS susceptibility. Using K-Means clustering analysis, we classified MS susceptibility into categories I, II, III, and IV, and conducted K-Means clustering analysis on the corresponding nystagmus slow-phase velocity, cupula time constant, velocity storage time constant, and nystagmus duration. The magnitude and range of these indicators at different levels was quantified, offering objective and quantitative indicators for the clinical diagnosis of MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To investigate changes in pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), blood indices, and myocardial microcirculation in rats returning from high altitude (HA) to moderate altitude (MA). Methods: Forty 4-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups with ten rats in each group. One group was transported to the MA area (MA-group), and the other three groups were transported to HA (HA-group-A, HA-group-B, and HA-group-C). After 28 weeks of age, the rats from the HA area were transported to the MA area for 0 days, 10 days, and 20 days, respectively. PAP, routine blood tests, and computed tomography myocardial perfusion indices were measured. Results: Compared with the MA-group, the body weight of HA-groups decreased (p < 0.05), and PAP in HA-group-A and HA-group-B increased (p < 0.05). In the HA groups, PAP initially increased and then decreased. Compared with the MA-group, red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), and hematocrit (HCT) of rats in HA-group-A increased (p < 0.05). Compared with the HA-group-A, RBC, HGB, and HCT of HA-group-B gradually decreased (p < 0.05) while MCV decreased (p < 0.05), and PLT of HA-group-C increased (p < 0.05). Compared with the MA group, blood flow (BF) and blood volume (BV) of the HA-group-A decreased (p < 0.05). Compared with the HA-group-A, TTP increased first and then decreased (p < 0.05), and BF and BV increased gradually (p < 0.05). Pathological results showed that myocardial fiber arrangement was disordered, and cell space widened in the HA group. Conclusion: PAP, blood parameters, and myocardial microcirculation in rats returning from high to MA exhibited significant changes. Relevance statement: This study provides an experimental basis for understanding the physiological and pathological mechanisms during the process of deacclimatization to HA and offers new insights for the prevention and treatment of deacclimatization to HA syndrome. Key Points: Forty rats were raised in a real plateau environment. Myocardial microcirculation was detected by CT myocardial perfusion imaging. The PAP of the unacclimated rats increased first and then decreased. The myocardial microcirculation of the deacclimated rats showed hyperperfusion changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the room-temperature hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility (HES) of high-pressure hydrogen storage vessels, a modified slow-strain-rate tensile (MSSRT) testing method was proposed for effectively aligning with their actual operating conditions. The effectiveness of the MSSRT testing method in evaluating the room-temperature HES of steels under high pressure was validated by comparing the results obtained using the conventional slow strain rate tensile (SSRT) and proposed MSSRT testing methods for 30CrMo steel, which is widely used for manufacturing high-pressure hydrogen storage vessels. The tensile properties and fracture morphologies of 23Cr2Ni4MoV steel were then examined using the MSSRT testing method under 35 MPa hydrogen and nitrogen at room temperature. Results indicate that 35 MPa hydrogen exerted a marginal effect on the tensile properties of 23Cr2Ni4MoV steel at room temperature when considering the MSSRT testing method; moreover, the test specimen basically exhibited macroscopic ductile fracture. Furthermore, obvious surface cracking was observed on the fractured specimen tested under hydrogen, whereas surface cracking was not observed on the fractured specimen tested under nitrogen. Hence, the relative reduction of area and surface cracking are necessary criteria for evaluating the room-temperature HES of steels using the MSSRT testing method. Overall, 23Cr2Ni4MoV steel might be unsuitable for manufacturing high-pressure hydrogen storage vessels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a generalized approach for rapid prediction of scallop height distributions. This methodology introduces the theory of mesh surface conformal mapping, effectively reducing the complexity of scallop height distributions prediction through dimension reduction from 3D space to a 2D parameter domain. It can predict scallop height distributions consistent with the order of cutter contact (CC) points, making it suitable for any type of toolpaths. Building upon this foundation, a novel method for generating supplemental machining toolpaths on intricate surfaces is further elaborated. This innovative method proficiently eliminates uncut regions that are often overlooked during toolpath generation, enhancing machining accuracy and efficiency without compromising on toolpath intervals. Finally, the validity and practicality of the proposed methods are rigorously verified through a combination of simulation and actual machining experiments. The experimental outcomes reveal that, when compared to prevalent commercial machining simulation software, the rapid prediction method introduced in this paper achieves a noteworthy improvement in calculation efficiency by approximately 50%. Furthermore, in contrast to the conventional strategy of enhancing toolpath accuracy by narrowing intervals, the supplementary toolpath generation method presented herein achieves a significant reduction in toolpath length by over 25%. This approach significantly augments the applicability and flexibility of toolpath optimization; it has important potential and value for improving the efficiency and accuracy of milling intricate surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concern of COVID-19 persists due to the continuous emergence of variants and the potential spillover of animal coronaviruses. The broad-spectrum neutralizing antibodies play a pivotal role in the prevention and treatment of coronavirus (CoV) infections. Here, we constructed 18 bi-specific antibodies (bsAbs) using 9 antibodies isolated from COVID-19 convalescents and vaccinated individuals, designed as dual variable domain immunoglobulin (DVD-Ig). A bsAb 5-HI showed a high binding capability to the S1 subunit of spike and exhibited breadth and potency against pseudotyped SARS-CoV-2 variants of concerns (VOCs) and SARS-related-CoVs (SARSr-CoVs), with half maximal effective concentration (EC50) of 0.028–3.444 nM and 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.008-0.800 nM. In addition, it retained neutralization potency against the peudotyped virus of recently prevalent JN.1 strain (IC50, 12.74 nM). We found that the parental antibodies showed weak or no binding to the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV, EG.5.1, and JN.1. However, the 5-HI maintained the binding with RBD and prevented the binding between hACE2 and RBD (IC50 for the RBD of SARS-CoV, 1.067 nM; EG.5.1, 0.423 nM; JN.1, 0.223 nM). In neutralization assays with the authentic virus, we found that the 5-HI effectively neutralized Omicron variants XBB.1.5 (IC50, 0.308 nM), EG.5.1 (IC50, 0.129 nM), and JN.1 (IC50, 13.692 nM), while its parental antibodies showed weakened or no neutralization. Therefore, the 5-HI represents a promising candidate for further development in the treatment and prevention of ongoing evolved SARS-CoV-2 VOCs and other SARSr-CoVs that potentially emerge in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we consider stochastic reaction–diffusion equations with superlinear drift on the real line R driven by space–time white noise. A Freidlin–Wentzell large deviation principle is established by a modified weak convergence method on the space C ([ 0 , T ] , C tem (R)) , where C tem (R) : = { f ∈ C (R) : sup x ∈ R | f (x) | e - λ | x | < ∞ for any λ > 0 } . Obtaining the main result in this paper is challenging due to the setting of unbounded domain, the space–time white noise, and the superlinear drift term without dissipation. To overcome these difficulties, the specially designed family of norms on the Fréchet space C ([ 0 , T ] , C tem (R)) , one-order moment estimates of the stochastic convolution, and two nonlinear Gronwall-type inequalities play an important role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The treatment landscape for rectal cancer is rapidly evolving, particularly with the increasing use of neoadjuvant therapies. Still, up to 50% of patients with stage II–III disease require surgical resection post-neoadjuvant therapy to achieve the best oncologic outcomes. Many patients, however, hope to avoid surgery. This study aimed to assess trends and factors associated with declining recommended oncologic resection after systemic therapy nationally and in our institution. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective analysis using the National Cancer Database from 2009 to 2021 and an institutional cohort at an academic center between 2009 and 2022 including adults with stage I–III rectal adenocarcinoma who underwent neoadjuvant therapy and were suitable for surgery. Results: Of 96,997 patients nationally, the rate of declining surgery increased from 2.3% in 2009 to 6.3% in 2021, a trend mirrored in our institutional cohort of 365 patients (0% in 2009/2010 to approximately 6–12% in 2021/2022). Locally, patients who declined surgery had higher rates of tobacco use, temporary loss to follow-up during therapy, and a more robust, albeit incomplete, tumor response to neoadjuvant therapy compared with controls who underwent surgery. Despite a stoma being the most cited reason for declining surgery, 30.4% of patients who declined oncologic resection died with a stoma. Conclusions: Our findings underscore a notable trend of patients declining oncologic resections following neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer. By shedding light on the outcomes of patients who opt against surgery, we address a critical gap in the literature essential for informing patients about potential risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a heterogeneous histiocytosis characterized by proliferation of Langerhans cells. While less common, manifestations of digestive tract involvement in LCH remain largely unrevealed. We conducted a retrospective analysis of demographics, clinical, endoscopic, genetic and follow-up data from 13 adult patients with pathologically confirmed gastrointestinal involvement of LCH (LCH-GI), in a single-center cohort of 465 patients. Digestive tract involvement was observed in 2.80% of LCH patients. At LCH-GI diagnosis, 7 patients (53.8%) had unifocal lesions, and 6 patients (46.2%) had multisystem disease. 6 patients (46.2%) experienced no gastrointestinal symptoms at LCH-GI onset, while others were symptomatic. Stomach was most commonly affected (61.5%), followed by esophagus (23.1%), colon (7.7%) and anus (7.7%). Endoscopic findings varied among 12 patients, including submucosal bulge (8 patients, 66.7%) and non-bulging lesions (4 patients, 33.3%) such as erosions, coarse granular mucosa, and regional abnormal coloration. Among 8 patients with genetic analysis, BRAFV600E mutation was detected in 5 patients (62.5%). The estimated 1-year overall survival rate was 91.7%. Progression-free survival of patients with submucosal bulges under endoscopy was significantly better than those with non-bulging lesions. This study presents 13 cases of LCH with digestive tract involvement. We emphasize the importance of endoscopy and biopsy for pathological examination of lesions such as submucosal bulges and erosions under endoscopy to assist in early detection of LCH. Comprehensive systemic assessment and regular endoscopic monitoring are essential in patient management. Treatment should be individualized with dynamic adjustments during follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Classical gene-by-environment interaction (GxE) analysis can be used to characterize genetic effect heterogeneity but has a high multiple testing burden in the context of genome-wide association studies (GWAS). We adapt a colocalization method, SharePro, to account for effect heterogeneity in fine-mapping and identify candidates for GxE analysis with reduced multiple testing burden. SharePro demonstrates improved power for both fine-mapping and GxE analysis compared to existing methods as well as well-controlled false type I error in simulations. Using smoking status stratified GWAS summary statistics, we identify genetic effects on lung function modulated by smoking status that are not identified by existing methods. Additionally, using sex stratified GWAS summary statistics, we characterize sex differentiated genetic effects on fat distribution. In summary, we have developed an analytical framework to account for effect heterogeneity in fine-mapping and subsequently improve power for GxE analysis. The SharePro software for GxE analysis is openly available at https://github.com/zhwm/SharePro_gxe. Zhang et al. present an efficient method to simultaneously account for heterogeneity in fine-mapping and improve statistical power of gene-environment interaction analysis, with summary statistics from genome-wide association studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computational thinking (CT), as one of the key skills in the twenty-first century, has been integrated into educational programming as an important learning goal. This study aims to explore CT processes involved in pair programming with the support of visual flow design. Thirty freshmen participated, working in pairs to solve two programming problems. Their discourses were recorded, transcribed, and coded based on a CT framework encompassing cognitive, practical, and social perspectives. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were applied to analyze the data. In particular, Epistemic Network Analysis (ENA) was applied to explore the patterns of their CT processes. The findings revealed that social perspectives emerged the most frequently in all pairs' discourses. The high-level groups (HLGs) focused more on practical and social perspectives whereas the low-level groups (LLGs) emphasized more on cognitive perspectives. The ENA networks revealed that social perspectives mostly centered around cognitive perspectives for all pairs with CT process patterns in HLGs crossing the three perspectives more frequently. In addition, HLGs exhibited a more complicated and developmental trend in solving the two problems, while LLGs displayed a relatively similar CT pattern. The current study provides insights into the design and implementation of collaborative learning activities in educational programming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smooth metal microspheres with uniform sizes are ideal for constructing particle-arrayed anisotropic conductive films (ACF), but synthesis is hindered by challenges in controlling anisotropic metal growth. Here, we present a positioned transient-emulsion self-assembly and laser-irradiation strategy to fabricate pure gold microsphere arrays with smooth surfaces and uniform sizes. The fabrication involves assembling gold nanoparticles into uniform colloidosomes within a pre-designed microhole array, followed by rapid transformation into well-defined microspheres through laser heating. The gold nanoparticles melt and merge in a layer-by-layer manner due to the finite skin depth of the laser, leading to a localized photothermal effect. This strategy circumvents anisotropic growth, enables tunable control of microsphere size and positioning, and is compatible with conventional lithography. Importantly, these pure gold microspheres exhibit stable conductivity under deep compression, offering promising applications in soldering micro-sized chips onto integrated circuits. The authors present a simple and rapid way for fabricating gold microsphere arrays through a laser-irradiated ripening strategy. These gold microspheres are suitable for reliable high-resolution bonding applications due to their stable conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum algorithms have demonstrated extraordinary potential across numerous fields, offering significant advantages in solving practical problems. Power Quality Disturbances (PQDs) have always been a critical factor affecting the stability and safety of electrical power systems, and accurately detecting and identifying PQDs is crucial for ensuring reliable system operation. This paper explores the application of quantum algorithms in the field of power quality and proposes a novel method using Quantum Support Vector Machines (QSVM) to detect and identify PQDs, which marks the first application of QSVM in PQD analysis. The QSVM model employed involves three main stages: quantum feature mapping, quantum kernel computation, and model training. Quantum feature mapping uses quantum circuits to map classical data into a high-dimensional Hilbert space, enhancing feature separability. Quantum kernel computation calculates the inner products between features for model training. Rigorous theoretical and experimental analyses validate our approach. This method achieves a time complexity of O (N 2 log (N)) , superior to classical SVM algorithms. Simulation results show high accuracy in PQDs detection, achieving a 100% detection rate and a 96.25% accuracy rate in single PQD identification. Experimental outcomes demonstrate robustness, maintaining over 87% accuracy even with increased noise levels, confirming its effectiveness in PQDs detection and identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the microbial diversity and community composition within the main constructive tree species, Picea crassifolia, Betula platyphylla, and Pinus tabuliformis, in Helan Mountain and their response to changes in soil physicochemical factors, a high throughput sequencing technology was used to analyze the bacterial and fungal diversity and community structure. RDA (Redundancy Analysis) and Pearson correlation analysis were used to explore the influence of soil physicochemical factors on microbial community construction, and co-occurrence network analysis was conducted on the microbial communities. The results showed that the fungal and bacterial diversity was highest in B. platyphylla, and lowest in P. crassifolia. Additionally, the fungal/bacterial richness was greatest in the rhizosphere soils of P. tabuliformis and B. platyphylla. RDA and Pearson correlation analysis revealed that NN (nitrate nitrogen) and AP (available phosphorus) were the main determining factors of the bacterial community, while NN and SOC (soil water content) were the main determining factors of the fungal community. Pearson correlation analysis between soil physicochemical factors and the alpha diversity of the microbial communities revealed a significant positive correlation between pH and the bacterial and fungal diversity, while SOC, TN (total nitrogen), AP, and AN (available nitrogen) were significantly negatively correlated with the bacterial and fungal diversity. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed that the soil bacterial communities exhibit richer network nodes, edges, greater diversity, and greater network connectivity. Indicating that bacterial communities exhibit more complex and stable interaction patterns in soil. This study reveals the complex interactive relationship between microbial communities and soil physicochemical factors in forest ecosystems. By analyzing the response of rhizosphere microbial communities of major tree species in Helan Mountain to nutrient dynamics and pH changes, we can deepen our understanding of the role of microorganisms in regulating ecosystem functions and provide theoretical basis for soil improvement and ecological restoration strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study represents the first analysis of the bacterial community in chickens affected by swollen head syndrome, utilizing 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Samples were obtained from clinical laying chickens and were examined for the presence of Avibacterium paragallinarum (APG) and Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT) using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). From the samples, five APG-positive (APG) and APG-negative (N-APG) samples were chosen, along with five specific pathogen-free chickens, for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results showed that APG and ORT were widely detected in the chicken samples with swollen head syndrome (SHS, 9/10), while APG was detected in all five specific pathogen-free (SPF) samples. In contrast, conventional PCR sensitivity was found to be inadequate for diagnosis, with only 35.7% (5/14) and 11.1% (1/9) sensitivity for APG and ORT, respectively, based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing data. Furthermore, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was able to quantify the bacteria in the samples, revealing that the relative abundance of APG in the APG group ranged from 2.7 to 81.3%, while the relative abundance of APG in the N-APG group ranged from 0.1 to 21.0%. Notably, a low level of APG was also detected in all 5 SPF samples. The study also identified a significant number of animal and human common bacterial pathogens, including but not limited to Gallibacterium anatis, Riemerella columbina, Enterococcus cecorum, Mycoplasma synoviae, Helicobacter hepaticus, and Staphylococcus lentus. In conclusion, 16S rRNA gene sequencing is a valuable tool for bacterial pathogen diagnosis and the discovery of novel bacterial pathogens, while conventional PCR is not reliable for diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) is increasingly omitted for breast cancer patients with pathologic nodal disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). This study aimed to understand when and why surgeons consider omitting ALND after NAC. Methods: The American Society of Breast Surgeons membership was surveyed, and responses were tabulated. To identify patterns, multiple correspondence analyses followed by cluster analysis on coordinates provided by the former were performed. Chi-squared analyses determined whether cluster characteristics were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with omission of ALND. Results: Of members, 328/2172 (15.1%) completed the survey. Most (60.7%) always offer sentinel lymph node surgery to cN1 patients who respond to NAC, and many (43.9%) sometimes omit ALND in the setting of residual nodal disease. Respondents less often consider omitting ALND with increasing volume of pathologic nodal disease after NAC and are less likely to omit ALND among patients with cN1 disease at presentation than cN0 (P < 0.05 across all volumes). Respondents cited radiation administration (74.1%) and belief that ALND would not improve locoregional (48.2%), distant recurrence or survival (47.6%) outcomes when axillary radiation is administered as reasons to omit ALND. The respondent group comprising male private practice surgeons, practicing ≥ 21 years, consider omitting ALND significantly more frequently. Conclusions: Surgeons sometimes consider ALND omission for patients with pathologic nodal disease after NAC but are more likely to do so in cN0 patients and patients with smaller volumes of nodal disease. These decisions are largely based on perceived lack of oncologic benefit despite absence of prospective data supporting this deescalation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite a rapid expansion of Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) sublineage 8.7 over recent years, very little is known about the patterns of virus evolution, dispersal, and the factors influencing this dispersal. Relying on a national PRRSV surveillance project established over 20 years ago, we expand the available genomic data of sublineage 8.7 from China. We perform independent interlineage and intralineage recombination analyses for the entire study period, which showed a heterogeneous recombination pattern. A series of Bayesian phylogeographic analyses uncover the role of Guangdong as an important infection hub within Asia. The spatial spread of PRRSV is highly linked with a composite of human activities and the heterogeneous provincial distribution of the swine industry, largely propelled by the smaller-scale Chinese rural farming systems in the past years. We sequence all four available modified live vaccines (MLVs) and perform genomic analyses with publicly available data, of which our results suggest a key "leaky" period spanning 2011–2017 with two concurrent amino acid mutations in ORF1a 957 and ORF2 250. Overall, our study provides an in-depth overview of the evolution, transmission dynamics, and potential leaky status of HP-PRRS MLVs, providing critical insights into new MLV development. There is limited epidemiological data on PRRSV sublineage 8.7 in Asia. Using national PRRSV surveillance data, the authors compiled a genomic dataset showing a geographically centralized spread, the likely impact of human-related activities on PRRSV spread and regional variability in interlineage recombination likelihood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection has been closely linked to the development of various types of cancer. EB nuclear antigen 1 binding protein 2 (EBNA1BP2) is a crucial molecule for stable isolation of EBV in latent infection. However, the role of EBNA1BP2 in multiple tumor types is remains unclear. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed the functional characteristics of EBNA1BP2 and investigate its potential as a prognostic biomarker in pan-cancer. Methods: We utilized data from TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) and GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) databases and employed various bioinformatics analysis tools, including TIMER2.0, HPA, GEPIA2.0, PrognoScan, cBioPortal, CancerSEA, and BioGRID to explore the expression pattern, prognostic value, immune infiltration, and methylation level of EBNA1BP2 in pan-cancer. Additionally, we conducted enrichment analysis of genes associated with EBNA1BP2 to identify potential biological functions and pathways. Results: Our analysis revealed that EBNA1BP2 expression was significantly higher in tumor tissues compared to tumor-adjacent tissues. We observed that lower expression of EBNA1BP2 in adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), brain lower grade glioma (LGG), sarcoma (SARC), and uterine carcinosarcoma (UCS) was significantly associated with improved overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Furthermore, the promoter methylation level of EBNA1BP2 was downregulated in the majority of cancer types. At the single-cell level, EBNA1BP2 was found to be positively correlated with cell cycle and DNA repair processes, while negatively correlated with hypoxia. Additionally, EBNA1BP2 was associated with the infiltration of immune cells such as B cells, cancer-associated fibroblast cells, and CD8+ T cells. Gene enrichment analysis indicated that EBNA1BP2 was mainly involved in nucleoplasm and RNA binding pathways. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that EBNA1BP2 may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker for survival in pan-cancer. Further experimental studies are needed to validate these findings and explore the underlying mechanisms by which EBNA1BP2 contributes to tumorigenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The orbital Hall effect in light materials has attracted considerable attention for developing orbitronic devices. Here we investigate the orbital torque efficiency and demonstrate the switching of the perpendicularly magnetized materials through the orbital Hall material, i.e., Zr. The orbital torque efficiency of approximately 0.78 is achieved in the Zr orbital Hall material with the perpendicularly magnetized [Co/Pt]3 sample, which significantly surpasses that of the perpendicularly magnetized CoFeB/Gd/CoFeB sample (approximately 0.04). Such a notable difference is attributed to the different spin-orbit correlation strength between the [Co/Pt]3 sample and the CoFeB/Gd/CoFeB sample, confirmed through theoretical calculations. Furthermore, the full magnetization switching of the [Co/Pt]3 samples with a switching current density of approximately 2.6×106 A/cm2 has been realized through Zr, which even outperforms that of the W spin Hall material. Our finding provides a guideline to understand orbital torque efficiency and paves the way for developing energy-efficient orbitronic devices. Orbitronics opens an avenue for developing energy-efficient memory and logic devices through orbital Hall effect. Here, the authors realize the magnetization switching of perpendicularly magnetized materials through the orbital torque. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breast cancer and heart failure are major public health issues globally, characterized by significant genetic heterogeneity and complex molecular mechanisms. This study aims to explore potential genetic targets in heart failure and breast cancer through combining genetic inference and single-cell expression analysis, and to assess the causal relationships of these targets using Mendelian randomization methods. Methods: We first identified genetic variants associated with heart failure and breast cancer using genome-wide association study (GWAS) data. Subsequently, we analyzed the expression patterns of these genetic variants in different cell types through single-cell RNA sequencing technology. Furthermore, we utilized in vitro experiment to assess the effects of ITM2B on MCF7 using immunofluorescence. Results: Our study identified multiple genetic variants associated with heart failure and breast cancer, showing specific expression patterns in heart and breast cells. The ITM2B gene is highly expressed in breast cancer. ITM2B shows the highest expression in T cells and the lowest expression in proliferating cells. Silencing the ITM2B gene can promote apoptosis and inhibit proliferation and migration of MCF7 breast cancer cells. Conclusion: By integrating genetic inference and single-cell expression analysis, this study revealed potential genetic targets in heart failure and breast cancer, and validated the causal effects of these targets using Mendelian randomization methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Signaling systems of microorganisms are responsible for regulating the physiological and metabolic processes and also play vital roles in the communications of cells. Identifying signaling molecules mediating the cross-talks is challenging yet highly desirable for comprehending the microbial interactions. Here, we demonstrate that a pathogenic Gram-negative Chromobacterium violaceum exerts significant influence on the morphological differentiation and secondary metabolism of Gram-positive Streptomyces. The physiological metabolisms are directly modulated by three novel cinnamoyl lipids (CVCL1, 2, and 3) from C. violaceum CV12472, whose biosynthesis is under the control of N-acylhomoserine lactone signaling system. Furthermore, a receptor of CVCLs in Streptomyces ansochromogenes 7100 is determined to be SabR1, the cognate receptor of γ-butenolide signaling molecules. This study reveals an unprecedented mode of microbial interactions, and the quorum sensing signaling systems in these two groups of bacteria can be bridged via CVCLs, suggesting that CVCLs can modulate the physiological metabolism of cross-phylum microorganisms. Novel cinnamoyl lipids from Chromobacterium are found to modulate the physiological metabolism of Streptomyces via binding to the γ-butenolide signaling molecule receptor, representing an unprecedented mode of cross-phylum microbial interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of allelopathic studies on invasive plants have focused primarily on their leaf-mediated allelopathy, with relatively little attention paid to their root-mediated allelopathy, especially co-allelopathy mediated by both leaves and roots. It is conceivable that the diversified composition of acid rain may influence the allelopathy of invasive plants. This study aimed to evaluate the leaf and root-mediated co-allelopathy of the invasive plant Solidago canadensis L. under acid rain with different nitrogen-sulfur ratios (N/S) on Lactuca sativa L. via a hydroponic incubation. The root-mediated allelopathy of S. canadensis was found to be more pronounced than the leaf-mediated allelopathy of S. canadensis with nitric acid at pH 4.5, but the leaf-mediated allelopathy of S. canadensis was observed to be more pronounced than the root-mediated allelopathy of S. canadensis with sulfuric-rich acid at pH 4.5. The leaf and root-mediated co-allelopathy of S. canadensis was more pronounced than that of either part alone with sulfuric acid at pH 5.6 and nitric acid at pH 4.5, but not with nitric-rich acid at pH 4.5 and sulfuric-rich acid at pH 4.5. Sulfuric acid and sulfuric-rich acid with stronger acidity intensified the leaf-mediated allelopathy of S. canadensis. Nitric acid and nitric-rich acid attenuated the leaf-mediated allelopathy of S. canadensis, and most types of acid rain (especially nitric acid and nitric-rich acid) also attenuated the root-mediated allelopathy of S. canadensis and the leaf and root-mediated co-allelopathy of S. canadensis. Sulfuric acid and sulfuric-rich acid produced a more pronounced effect than nitric acid and nitric-rich acid. Hence, the N/S ratio of acid rain influenced the allelopathy of S. canadensis under acid rain with multiple N/S ratios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3-Methylhistidine (3-MeHis) is increasingly used as an indicator of muscle protein breakdown. The development of a sensitive, simple, and non-invasive method for 3-MeHis assay is important in clinical practice. Herein, a sensitive, simple, and non-invasive electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) method was proposed for the quantitation of 3-MeHis in urine by using an iridium(III) solvent complex ([Ir(dfppy)2(DMSO)Cl], dfppy = 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)pyridine, Ir-DMSO) as a signal reagent. The photoluminescence (PL) and ECL responses of Ir-DMSO to 3-MeHis were studied. The ECL intensity of Ir-DMSO was enhanced in the presence of 3-MeHis because of the coordination recognition between Ir-DMSO and the imidazole group of 3-MeHis. Based on the enhancement of ECL intensity, 3-MeHis can be sensitively detected in the range of 5 to 25 μM. The detection limit was 0.4 μM. This is the first report of an ECL method for the quantitation of 3-MeHis. Further, to investigate the feasibility of the Ir-DMSO-based ECL method in practical applications, the developed ECL method was applied for 3-MeHis assay in urine samples of 28 healthy volunteers and 2 patients. The urine samples from patients hospitalized with obesity and kidney disease and healthy individuals were distinguished by the ECL responses of Ir-DMSO. The proposed ECL method based on the coordination recognition between iridium(III) solvent complex and the imidazole group of 3-MeHis allows inexpensive, fast, non-invasive, and sensitive detection of 3-MeHis in urine, which is promising for assessing large volumes of patients for routine analysis in clinical practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The medial temporal lobe (MTL) is a hotspot for neuropathology, and measurements of MTL atrophy are often used as a biomarker for cognitive decline associated with neurodegenerative disease. Due to the aggregation of multiple proteinopathies in this region, the specific relationship of MTL atrophy to distinct neuropathologies is not well understood. Here, we develop two quantitative algorithms using deep learning to measure phosphorylated tau (p-tau) and TDP-43 (pTDP-43) pathology, which are both known to accumulate in the MTL and are associated with MTL neurodegeneration. We focus on these pathologies in the context of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and limbic predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE) and apply our deep learning algorithms to distinct histology sections, on which MTL subregions were digitally annotated. We demonstrate that both quantitative pathology measures show high agreement with expert visual ratings of pathology and discriminate well between pathology stages. In 140 cases with antemortem MR imaging, we compare the association of semi-quantitative and quantitative postmortem measures of these pathologies in the hippocampus with in vivo structural measures of the MTL and its subregions. We find widespread associations of p-tau pathology with MTL subregional structural measures, whereas pTDP-43 pathology had more limited associations with the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex. Quantitative measurements of p-tau pathology resulted in a significantly better model of antemortem structural measures than semi-quantitative ratings and showed strong associations with cortical thickness and volume. By providing a more granular measure of pathology, the quantitative p-tau measures also showed a significant negative association with structure in a severe AD subgroup where semi-quantitative ratings displayed a ceiling effect. Our findings demonstrate the advantages of using quantitative neuropathology to understand the relationship of pathology to structure, particularly for p-tau, and motivate the use of quantitative pathology measurements in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of attention bias modification (ABM) for anxiety is to systematically reduce the anxiety-related attention bias (AB) and ameliorate anxiety severity. Yet, few studies have examined patterns of learning processes over the course of ABM, and whether these patterns influence treatment effects. This study aimed to address this gap by first quantifying changes in training performance (training gains indicating improvements in training performance, and training losses indicating declines in training performance measured via increases in reaction times) over a four-week course of ABM and examining their associations with post-treatment anxiety severity. Eighty-one anxious adults were randomly assigned to either four weekly sessions of ABM or Placebo training (PT). Training gains and losses during each session were quantified as online (i.e., training changes that emerged within a training block or a training session) or offline changes (i.e., training changes that emerged between training sessions). ABM, versus PT, showed greater offline gains between training sessions. Offline gains between sessions were associated with reliable reductions in anxiety severity, but this association did not differ between the conditions. Implications for creating more targeted and personalized ABM protocols are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To fully exploit the technical advantages of the large-depth and high-precision artificial source electromagnetic method in the complex structure area of southern Sichuan and compensate for the shortcomings of the conventional electromagnetic method in exploration depth, precision, and accuracy, the large-depth and high-precision wide field electromagnetic method is applied to the complex structure test area of the Luochang syncline and Yuhe nose anticline in the southern Sichuan. The advantages of the wide field electromagnetic method in detecting deep, low-resistivity thin layers are demonstrated. First, on the basis of the analysis of physical property data, a geological–geoelectric model is established in the test area, and the wide field electromagnetic method is numerically simulated to analyze and evaluate the response characteristics of deep thin shale gas layers on wide field electromagnetic curves. Second, a wide field electromagnetic test is conducted in the complex structure area of southern Sichuan. After data processing and inversion imaging, apparent resistivity logging data are used for calibration to develop an apparent resistivity interpretation model suitable for the test area. On the basis of the results, the characteristics of the electrical structure change in the shallow longitudinal formation of 6 km are implemented, and the transverse electrical distribution characteristics of the deep shale gas layer are delineated. In the prediction area near the well, the subsequent data verification shows that the apparent resistivity obtained using the inversion of the wide field electromagnetic method is consistent with the trend of apparent resistivity revealed by logging, which proves that this method can effectively identify the weak response characteristics of deep shale gas formations in complex structural areas. This experiment, it is shown shows that the wide field electromagnetic method with a large depth and high precision can effectively characterize the electrical characteristics of deep, low-resistivity thin layers in complex structural areas, and a new set of low-cost evaluation technologies for shale gas target layers based on the wide field electromagnetic method is explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the degradation mechanism of the performance of CFRP-concrete bonded interface under fatigue loading, double shear tests with the adhesive layer thickness and stress level as the variables were conducted. The results indicate that under fatigue loading, varying thicknesses of the interface adhesive layer result in different interface failure modes. The strain variations of the CFRP fabric in static and fatigue tests exhibited similar trends, with an increase in bonding thickness leading to higher ultimate load or fatigue cycles. With an increase in the thickness of the adhesive layer, the initial stiffness of the interface decreases, leading to improved deformation performance of the interface. During the second stage of damage development, a thicker adhesive layer led to slower interface damage progression. Under fatigue loading, when the specimen is in the stable crack propagation stage at the interface, a decrease in the load level and an increase in the thickness of the adhesive layer lead to a reduction in the rate of crack propagation. The proposed crack propagation rate model effectively predicted the interface crack propagation process and fatigue life. Finally, the damage and failure process of the interface under fatigue loading was simulated using Fe-safe software, and predictions for its fatigue life were made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study has focused on reducing the carbon emissions and energy consumption for producing ferrochrome, an essential component in stainless-steel manufacturing. The research primarily investigates the reduction behavior and compressive strength of chromite pellets in atmospheres based on methane and hydrogen. The findings indicate that the reduction of pellets is positively influenced by temperature, time, and methane proportion. The most favorable reduction conditions were established with a methane concentration of 10% and a hydrogen concentration of 90% at 1100°C for a duration of 3 h, which achieved a comprehensive metallization rate of 36.3% for the pellets, with a strength of 1051 N. Additionally, the study has revealed that, with the decomposition of spinel, various chromium carbides initially formed, followed by the production of metallic chromium due to the highly reactive carbon released from methane cracking. The carbon filled the voids in the pellets, leading to densification of the surface layer. However, an excess of carbon can result in the pellets' outer layer becoming fragile and disintegrating. Therefore, the amount of methane input has been identified as a crucial factor affecting pellet strength, highlighting the need for a balanced methane input to effectively optimize pellet consolidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heat-treatment process exerts a substantial influence on both the quantity and morphology of reversed austenite in 17-4PH stainless steel. In this study, the effects of different ageing treatment methods on the microstructure and corrosion resistance of the steel were investigated. Through the observation of microscopic morphology, it was found that adjustment and ageing treatment and double ageing treatment were more conducive to the migration of elements in the steel than single ageing treatment, and they also improved the microstructure. In addition to improving the uniformity of alloy element distribution, uniformity also controls the reversed austenite content. By controlling the content and distribution of reversed austenite, the stability of the corrosion film formed at the interface can be improved, thereby improving the corrosion resistance of stainless steel. The stainless steel, after adjustment treatment and ageing treatment, has better corrosion resistance. The electrochemical corrosion resistance in a high-temperature and high-pressure underground environment was evaluated based on parameters including passivation current density and passivation potential. The results revealed a significant improvement of 50.5% in electrochemical corrosion resistance and a remarkable increase of 45.96% in pitting corrosion resistance. Furthermore, the FeCl3 pitting test demonstrated a substantial decrease of 63.16% in pitting density and a reduction of 27.96% in the uniform corrosion rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EphA family belongs to a large group of membrane receptor tyrosine kinases. Emerging evidence indicates that the EphA family participates in tumour occurrence and progression. Nonetheless, the expression patterns and prognostic values of the nine EphAs in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have rarely been studied before. In the current study, we comprehensively analysed the expression and prognostic role of EphA family members by different means. The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis databases were used to investigate the expression of EphAs in NSCLC. The cBioPortal database was applied to analyse the prognostic values and genetic mutations of EphAs.We discovered that the expression of EphA10 was significantly higher in NSCLC tissues than in adjacent noncancerous tissues, and survival analyses showed that a higher level of EphA10 predicted poor prognosis. Further exploration into the role of EphA10 by ESTIMATE, CIBERSORT, and ssGSEA analysis found that it was also related to immune infiltration and higher expression of targets of ICI targets. In conclusion, this study revealed that among the EphA family members, EphA10 played an oncogenic role and was a promising biomarker for poor prognosis and better immunotherapy response in NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores aerosol direct, indirect, and feedback effects on meteorology and fine particulate matter during heat waves of August 2022 over eastern China by using an online coupled regional climate–chemistry–aerosol model. In this period, aerosols exerted mean direct (DRE) and indirect (IRE) radiative effects of −3.9 Wm−2 and −2.4 Wm−2 at TOA, which totally caused a decrease in average surface air temperature by 0.3 °C over east China, accompanied by decreases in PBLH (planetary boundary layer height) and precipitation and an increase in PM2.5 concentration. With the anthropogenic emission reduction from 2013 to 2022, DRE apparently decreased while IRE changed little, leading to a decrease in total aerosol radiative effect (TRE) by 27% at TOA. The weakened TRE resulted in increases in surface air temperature and precipitation by 0.14 °C and 2.7 mm, respectively, on average over east China, with the maximum warming exceeding 0.5 °C in BTH (Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei province). This study highlights a warming trend due to weakened TRE, which may exacerbate heat wave, and an increasing importance of aerosol IRE relative to DRE due to weak sensitivity of cloud properties to aerosol change during the emission reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dopamine transporter has a crucial role in regulation of dopaminergic neurotransmission by uptake of dopamine into neurons and contributes to the abuse potential of psychomotor stimulants1–3. Despite decades of study, the structure, substrate binding, conformational transitions and drug-binding poses of human dopamine transporter remain unknown. Here we report structures of the human dopamine transporter in its apo state, and in complex with the substrate dopamine, the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder drug methylphenidate, and the dopamine-uptake inhibitors GBR12909 and benztropine. The dopamine-bound structure in the occluded state precisely illustrates the binding position of dopamine and associated ions. The structures bound to drugs are captured in outward-facing or inward-facing states, illuminating distinct binding modes and conformational transitions during substrate transport. Unlike the outward-facing state, which is stabilized by cocaine, GBR12909 and benztropine stabilize the dopamine transporter in the inward-facing state, revealing previously unseen drug-binding poses and providing insights into how they counteract the effects of cocaine. This study establishes a framework for understanding the functioning of the human dopamine transporter and developing therapeutic interventions for dopamine transporter-related disorders and cocaine addiction.Structural analyses of the human dopamine transporter in apo and substrate-bound states and in complex with drugs and inhibitors reveal key binding residues and conformational transitions that occur during substrate transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial accurate mapping of land susceptibility to wind erosion is necessary to mitigate its destructive consequences. In this research, for the first time, we developed a novel methodology based on deep learning (DL) and active learning (AL) models, their combination (e.g., recurrent neural network (RNN), RNN-AL, gated recurrent units (GRU), and GRU-AL) and three interpretation techniques (e.g., synergy matrix, SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) decision plot, and accumulated local effects (ALE) plot) to map global land susceptibility to wind erosion. In this respect, 13 variables were explored as controlling factors to wind erosion, and eight of them (e.g., wind speed, topsoil carbon content, topsoil clay content, elevation, topsoil gravel fragment, precipitation, topsoil sand content and soil moisture) were selected as important factors via the Harris Hawk Optimization (HHO) feature selection algorithm. The four models were applied to map land susceptibility to wind erosion, and their performance was assessed by three measures consisting of area under of receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve, cumulative gain and Kolmogorov Smirnov (KS) statistic plots. The results revealed that GRU-AL model was considered as the most accurate, revealing that 38.5%, 12.6%, 10.3%, 12.5% and 26.1% of the global lands are grouped at very low, low, moderate, high and very high susceptibility classes to wind erosion hazard, respectively. Interpretation techniques were applied to interpret the contribution and impact of the eight input variables on the model's output. Synergy plot revealed that the soil carbon content exhibited high synergy with DEM and soil moisture on the model's predictions. ALE plot showed that soil carbon content and precipitation had negative feedback on the prediction of land susceptibility to wind erosion. Based on SHAP decision plot, soil moisture and DEM presented the highest contribution on the model's output. Results highlighted new regions at high latitudes (southern Greenland coast, hotspots in Alaska and Siberia), which exhibited high and very high land susceptibility to wind erosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perfect absorption with adjustable Q factor and wavelength is essential in both theory and application. To address this issue, a structure composed of an epsilon-near-zero (ENZ)- SiO2 grating and a multilayer dielectric structure was designed. In the structure, the intrinsic loss is related to the ENZ thickness, while the external leakage depends on the grating parameters. By adjusting the ENZ film thickness, the intrinsic loss rate was tuned to match the external leakage rate corresponding to different grating parameters, realizing the critical couplings with different Q factors and wavelengths. Under critical coupling, the absorption rate reached a maximum of 99.999%, demonstrating ultra-perfect absorption. The Q factor was adjusted from 4350 to 35800, and the absorption wavelength was modified from 1050 to 1282 nm. The design work may provide new ideas for developing wavelength- and Q-selective absorbers, optical modulators, dielectric sensors, and photodetectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review explores the intricate roles of metal ions—iron, copper, zinc, and selenium—in glioma pathogenesis and immune evasion. Dysregulated metal ion metabolism significantly contributes to glioma progression by inducing oxidative stress, promoting angiogenesis, and modulating immune cell functions. Iron accumulation enhances oxidative DNA damage, copper activates hypoxia-inducible factors to stimulate angiogenesis, zinc influences cell proliferation and apoptosis, and selenium modulates the tumor microenvironment through its antioxidant properties. These metal ions also facilitate immune escape by upregulating immune checkpoints and secreting immunosuppressive cytokines. Targeting metal ion pathways with therapeutic strategies such as chelating agents and metalloproteinase inhibitors, particularly in combination with conventional treatments like chemotherapy and immunotherapy, shows promise in improving treatment efficacy and overcoming resistance. Future research should leverage advanced bioinformatics and integrative methodologies to deepen the understanding of metal ion-immune interactions, ultimately identifying novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets to enhance glioma management and patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acquired pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is a rare syndrome characterized by normocytic normochromic anemia with severe reticulocytopenia and absence of erythroid precursors in the bone marrow. For refractory PRCA patients, the low response rate and high toxicity of alternative therapies pose a great challenge. T-cell large granular lymphocyte (T-LGL) leukemia is one of the most common conditions in secondary PRCA and also the most difficult form to manage with an inferior treatment response to other secondary PRCA forms. T-LGL leukemia exhibits sustained activation of the intracellular JAK-STAT signaling pathway. We herein report a case of PRCA associated with T-LGL leukemia that had been refractory to multiple lines of therapies and was successfully treated by ruxolitinib. The patient achieved complete remission and tolerated ruxolitinib well without occurrence of neutropenia or thrombocytopenia. This preliminary finding favors ruxolitinib as a potential salvage therapy for refractory PRCA associated with T-LGL leukemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isoleucine-proline-proline (Ile-Pro-Pro, IPP) is a natural food source tripeptide that inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity. The aim of this study was to determine the central and peripheral roles of IPP in attenuating sympathetic activity, oxidative stress and hypertension. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to sham-operated surgery (Sham) or two-kidney one-clip (2K1C) surgery to induce renovascular hypertension. Renal sympathetic nerve activity and blood pressure were recorded. Bilateral microinjections of IPP to hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) attenuated sympathetic activity (-16.1 ± 2.5%, P < 0.001) and hypertension (-8.7 ± 1.5 mmHg, P < 0.01) in 2K1C rats by inhibiting ACE activity and subsequent angiotensin II and superoxide production in the PVN. Intravenous injections of IPP also attenuated sympathetic activity (-15.1 ± 2.1%, P < 0.001) and hypertension (-16.8 ± 2.3 mmHg, P < 0.001) via inhibiting ACE activity and oxidative stress in both PVN and arteries of 2K1C rats. The duration of the effects of the intravenous IPP was longer than those of the PVN microinjection, but the sympatho-inhibitory effect of intravenous injections occurred later than that of the PVN microinjection. Intraperitoneal injection of IPP (400 pmol/day for 20 days) attenuated hypertension and vascular remodeling via inhibiting ACE activity and oxidative stress in both PVN and arteries of 2K1C rats. These results indicate that IPP attenuates hypertension and sympathetic activity by inhibiting ACE activity and oxidative stress. The sympathoinhibitory effect of peripheral IPP is mainly caused by the ACE inhibition in PVN, and the antihypertensive effect is related to the sympathoinhibition and the arterial ACE inhibition. Long-term intraperitoneal IPP therapy attenuates hypertension, oxidative stress and vascular remodeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Education is one area that was significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with much of the education being transferred online. Many subjects that require hands-on experimental experience suffer when taught online. Education is also one area that many believe can benefit from the advances in virtual reality (VR) technology, particularly for remote, online learning. Furthermore, because the technology shows overall good results with hands-on experiential learning education, one possible way to overcome online education barriers is with the use of VR applications. Given that VR has yet to make significant inroads in education, it is essential to understand what factors will influence this technology's adoption and acceptance. In this work, we explore factors influencing the adoption of VR for hands-on practical learning around the world based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology and three additional constructs. We also performed a cross-cultural analysis to examine the model fit for developed and developing countries and regions. Moreover, through open-ended questions, we gauge the overall feeling people in these countries have regarding VR for practical learning and how it compares with regular online learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Land-use change caused by vegetation restoration in karst areas plays an active role in soil carbon sink. However, the response of soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation and turnover to land-use change after farmland abandonment is still poorly understood. Methods and aims: In this study, we investigated the impacts of converting farmland (maize) (FL) to economic forests [Juglans regia L. (walnut) plantation (JP), and Rosa roxburghii Tratt plantation (RP)], artificial grassland (AG), or natural grassland (NG) on the distribution of SOC and δ13C in the karst desertification control. Results: The SOC stock in the 0–40 cm profile was 67%, 59%, 14%, and 8% higher in RP, JP, AG, and NG than in FL (control). The δ13C values in AG, RP, and JP were significantly lower than those in NG and FL at the 0–5 cm depth. It was observed that the δ13C increased with soil depth. However, the SOC content decreased. The β values ranged from − 6.94 to -3.88 and increased in the order of RP < AG < FL < JP < NG. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that total nitrogen content and soil C/N ratio accounted for significant differences in soil δ13C and SOC levels. Conclusions: Our results suggested that economic forests triggered higher SOC accumulation than artificial grassland and natural revegetation after farmland abandonment, but the rate of soil C turnover following afforestation was still higher than that followed by natural revegetation in the short term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Sarcopenia was found to be a poor prognostic factor in kidney transplant recipients, but the role of sarcopenia obesity remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the effect of sarcopenic obesity on kidney transplantation. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on kidney transplant recipients between 2015 and 2019. Pretransplant CT scans were utilized to assess sarcopenia and visceral obesity. Based on the presence or absence of sarcopenia and visceral obesity, the recipients were classified into four distinct groups. Results: The recipients were categorized into four groups based on their characteristics: the nonsarcopenic nonobesity group (n = 493, 49.85%), the nonsarcopenic obesity group (n = 248, 25.08%), the sarcopenic nonobesity group (n = 188, 19.01%), and the sarcopenic obesity group (n = 60, 6.07%). Multivariate analysis, identified sarcopenic obesity was as an independent risk factor for mortality following kidney transplantation (adjusted hazard ratio, 5.861; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.627–21.108; P = 0.007). Additionally, sarcopenic obesity was associated with an increased risk of delayed graft function (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.342; 95% CI 1.421–7.745; P = 0.005), perioperative incision infection (aOR, 9.654; 95% CI 1.572–60.648; P = 0.011), perioperative pulmonary infection (aOR, 2.557; 95% CI 1.208–5.215; P = 0.011), and readmission within 3 months (aOR, 2.100; 95% CI 1.051–4.017; P = 0.029). While sarcopenic obesity was found to be associated with impaired graft renal function, it did not show a significant correlation with death-censored graft survival or quality of life. Conclusion: The presence of sarcopenic obesity prior to kidney transplantation represents an independent risk factor for mortality, and it is also linked to a range of unfavorable outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to its high production volume and wide range of applications, polyethylene has gained a great deal of attention, but its low surface energy and non-polar nature have limited its application in some important fields. In this study, ethylene/11-iodo-1-undecene copolymers were prepared and used as the intermediates to afford a series of imidazolium-based ionomers bearing methanesulfonate (CH3SO3−), trifluoromethanesulfonate (CF3SO3−), or bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide (Tf2N−) counteranions. The tensile test results showed that the stress-at-break (7.8–25.6 MPa) and the elongation-at-break (445%–847%) of the ionomers could be adjusted by changing the counterion species and the ionic group contents. Most importantly, the ionomers exhibited marvelous antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). The ionomers bearing Tf2N− exhibited antibacterial activities >99% against both S. aureus and E. coli when ionic content reached 9.1%. The imidazolium-based ionomers prepared in this work demonstrated excellent comprehensive properties, especially high-efficient and broad-spectrum antibacterial ability, exhibiting the potential for the application as the antibacterial materials in packaging, medical, and other fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of industrial IoT technology, a growing number of intelligent devices are being deployed in smart factories to digitally upgrade the manufacturing industry. The increasing number of intelligent devices brings a huge task request. Fog computing, which is an emerging distributed computing paradigm, is widely applied to process the device data generated in smart manufacturing. However, as fog nodes are resource limited and geographically widely distributed limitations, proper fog node placement strategies are critical to enhance the service performance of fog computing systems. In this paper, we study the problem of fog node placement in smart factories and divide it into two scenarios, fixed device and mobile device fog node placement, depending on the mobility of the devices. The fog node placement model and objective function are built in the two scenarios, and two improved heuristic algorithms are proposed to obtain the most optimal placement scheme. In addition, we perform simulation experiments based on existing intelligent production line prototype platforms and devices to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithms. The IGA reduces latency by an average of 586.7 - 1089 ms over the benchmark algorithm, saving 18.3 - 39 % in energy consumption. The total latency of IMOA is reduced by 59.8 - 68.5 % , and the maximum latency is reduced by 48.8 - 69.2 % . The experimental results show that the proposed algorithms outperform other benchmark algorithms in terms of task response time and energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the role of co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory molecules on immune tolerance in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), this study mapped the immune cell heterogeneity in the bone marrow of ITP at the single-cell level using Cytometry by Time of Flight (CyTOF). Thirty-six patients with ITP and nine healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. As soluble immunomodulatory molecules, more sCD25 and sGalectin-9 were detected in ITP patients. On the cell surface, co-stimulatory molecules like ICOS and HVEM were observed to be upregulated in mainly central memory and effector T cells. In contrast, co-inhibitory molecules such as CTLA-4 were significantly reduced in Th1 and Th17 cell subsets. Taking a platelet count of 30×109 L−1 as the cutoff value, ITP patients with high and low platelet counts showed different T cell immune profiles. Antigen-presenting cells such as monocytes and B cells may regulate the activation of T cells through CTLA-4/CD86 and HVEM/BTLA interactions, respectively, and participate in the pathogenesis of ITP. In conclusion, the proteomic and soluble molecular profiles brought insight into the interaction and modulation of immune cells in the bone marrow of ITP. They may offer novel targets to develop personalized immunotherapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro-energy network systems make full use of renewable energy and reduce dependence on external power grids, which is of great significance for enhancing the reliability of regional energy systems. Since it needs various energy production equipment to meet multiple energy demands, achieving optimal operation is the key to a successful micro-energy network system. This research is based on an industrial park in China, where we optimize the micro-energy network system to minimize the economic cost, environmental impact, and carbon emissions. Life cycle assessment is used to calculate the environmental impact and carbon emissions, and a multi-objective optimization model is constructed to which the NSGA-II is applied. The results show that in the comprehensive optimization scenario, the environmental impact is reduced by 34.0–67.3%, the economic cost is increased by 3.6–5.2%, and carbon emissions reduced by 10.2–24.3%. Findings from this study suggest that the capacity of solar photovoltaic and light pipes should be expanded by 100% and 50% and that gas turbine units and air source heat pumps should be added for power generation and winter heating. This would reduce reliance on the power grid, increase stability, and realize structural optimization of the micro-energy network systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]