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Schistosomiasis remains a formidable challenge to global public health. This study aims to predict the spatial distribution of schistosomiasis seropositive rates in Hunan Province, pinpointing high-risk transmission areas and advocating for tailored control measures in low-endemic regions. Six machine learning models and their corresponding hybrid machine learning-Kriging models were employed to predict the seropositive rate. The optimal model was selected through internal and external validations to simulate the spatial distribution of seropositive rates. Our results showed that the hybrid machine learning-Kriging model demonstrated superior predictive performance compared to basic machine learning model and the Cubist-Kriging model emerged as the most optimal model for this study. The predictive map revealed elevated seropositive rates around Dongting Lake and its waterways with significant clustering, notably in the central and northern regions of Yiyang City and the northeastern areas of Changde City. The model identified gross domestic product, annual average wind speed and the nearest distance from the river as the top three predictors of seropositive rates, with annual average daytime surface temperature contributing the least. In conclusion, our research has revealed that integrating the Kriging method significantly enhances the predictive performance of machine learning models. We developed a Cubist-Kriging model with high predictive performance to forecast the spatial distribution of schistosomiasis seropositive rates. These findings provide valuable guidance for the precise prevention and control of schistosomiasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Complete mesocolic excision (CME) or D3 lymphadenectomy led to survival benefits for locally advanced right colon cancer, but with vague definitions in anatomy and debated surgical hazard in clinic. Aiming to achieve a precise definition of it in anatomy, we proposed laparoscopic right hemicolectomy (D3 + CME) as a novel procedure for colon cancer. However, the surgical and oncological results of this procedure in clinic were uncertain. Methods: We performed a cohort study involving prospective data collected from a single-center in China. Data from all patients who underwent right hemicolectomy between January 2014 and December 2018 were included. We compared the surgical and oncological outcomes between D3 + CME and conventional CME. Results: After implementation of exclusion criteria, a total of 442 patients were included. D3 + CME group performed better in lymph nodes harvested (25.0 [17.0, 33.8] vs. 18.0 [14.0, 25.0], P < 0.001) and the proportion of intraoperative blood loss ≥ 50 mL (31.7% vs. 51.8%, P < 0.001); no significant difference was observed in the complication rates between two groups. Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated that a better cumulative 5-year disease-free survival (91.3% vs. 82.2%, P = 0.026) and a better cumulative 5-year overall survival (95.2% vs. 86.1%, P = 0.012) were obtained in the D3 + CME group. Multivariate COX regression revealed that D3 + CME was an independent protective factor for disease-free survival (P = 0.026). Conclusion: D3 + CME could improve surgical and oncological outcomes simultaneously for right colon cancer compared to conventional CME. Large-scale randomized controlled trials were further required to confirm this conclusion, if possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon source supply and feeding mode play an important effect on the growth and metabolite accumulation of microalgae. In order to investigate the role of acetate and feeding way on the growth behavior of microalgae and synthesis of main intracellular biochemical components, the influence of exogenous sodium acetate (NaAc) and feeding mode on the production of biomass, lipids and other cellular composition by Micractinium reisseri FM1 was evaluated under mixotrophic cultivation. The results indicated that compared with the photoautotrophic control, the biomass and lipid production of the alga showed a linear enhancement trend with the increase of NaAc from 1 to 10 g L−1. When NaAc was 10 g L−1, biomass and lipid content of M. reisseri FM1 were 10.65-fold and 4.35-fold of the control, respectively. The maximum volumetric productivities of pigment, protein and carbohydrate were obtained at 4 g L−1 NaAc. Compared with batch culture, the fed-batch mode could significantly enhance the productivity of biomass and lipid. Different cultivation modes did not significantly change the composition of fatty acids, but a higher proportion of total saturated fatty acids was obtained when NaAc was supplied in mixotrophic medium. Our findings suggest that NaAc can be used as a cheap and effective carbon source and physiological regulator for high cell density and yield production of M. reisseri FM1 as biorefinery feedstock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3Kaplan-Meier curves for a disease-free survival and b overall survival in all cases; Kaplan-Meier curves for c disease-free survival and d overall survival in AJCC pathological stage II and III cases. a P = 0.026; b P = 0.012; c P = 0.038; d P = 0.012 The original article has been corrected. Additionally, in the KM curves for Stage II-III, there should be 95 people in the D3 + CME group instead of 94 people. In the original version of the figure, one sample was mistakenly grouped in the loaded data for the plotting of the Kaplan-Meire curves. [Extracted from the article]

An autosomal-recessive inactivating mutation R272Q in the human intestinal cell kinase (ICK) gene caused profound multiplex developmental defects in human endocrine-cerebro-osteodysplasia (ECO) syndrome. ECO patients exhibited a wide variety of skeletal abnormalities, yet the underlying mechanisms by which ICK regulates skeletal development remained largely unknown. The goal of this study was to understand the structural and mechanistic basis underlying skeletal anomalies caused by ICK dysfunction. Ick R272Q knock-in transgenic mouse model not only recapitulated major ECO skeletal defects such as short limbs and polydactyly but also revealed a deformed spine with defective intervertebral disk. Loss of ICK function markedly reduced mineralization in the spinal column, ribs, and long bones. Ick mutants showed a significant decrease in the proliferation zone of long bones and the number of type X collagen-expressing hypertrophic chondrocytes in the spinal column and the growth plate of long bones. These results implicate that ICK plays an important role in bone and cartilage development by promoting chondrocyte proliferation and maturation. Our findings provided new mechanistic insights into the skeletal phenotype of human ECO and ECO-like syndromes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the apoptosis-inducing effect of Jinke on Molt-4 cells and its possible mechanism. The Molt-4 cells were treated with different concentrations of Jinke and then cultured for necessary time. The Annexin-V / PI method was used to detect the apoptosis rate. The cell cycle was analyzed by DNA content with flow cytometry. Double parameters analysis of cyclins / DNA was performed to detect the expression of cyclin E. API method was used to confirm the cell cycle-specific apoptosis. The expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by western blot. 24 h after the treatment of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0 mg/mL Jinke, the apoptosis rate of Molt-4 cells was evaluated in a concentration-dependent manner, from 5.2% of the control group to 41.0% of the 3.0 mg/mL Jinke group. When the Molt-4 cells were cultured with 1.5 mg/mL Jinke, the apoptosis rate was evaluated in a time-dependent manner. DNA content analysis showed that G0/G1 phase of Molt-4 cells increased in a time-dependent manner. The expression of cyclin E increased gradually. API assay showed the apoptosis cells were almost in G0/G1 phase. Western blot showed the Bcl-2 was down-regulated and the Bax was up-regulated. Jinke could induce G1 phase-specific apoptosis in Molt-4 cells in time-and concentration-dependent manners involving G1 phase arrest. The mechanism of apoptosis inducing effect may be related to the up-regulation of Bax and the down-regulation of Bcl-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]