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Increasing evidence has shown that circular RNAs (circRNAs) participate in the process of cardiac remodeling. CircRNA circ_0036176 originating from the back-splicing of exon 2 to exon4 of myosin IXA (Myo9a) gene was shown to be increased in the myocardium of patients with heart failure (HF) and riched in exosomes from human AC16 cardiomyocytes with overexpression of circ_0036176. Proliferation activity was inhibited in mCFs subjected to exosomal circ_0036176 treatment and in mCFs with overexpression of circ_0036176. Interestingly, circ_0036176 contains an IRES element and an ORF of 627 nt encoding a 208-amino acid protein (termed as Myo9a-208). Myo9a-208 was shown to mediate the inhibitory effect of circ_0036176 on CFs proliferation, and miR-218-5p could inhibit Myo9a-208 expression by binding to circ_0036176, resulting in abolishing the effect of circ_0036176 on inactivating cyclin/Rb signal and suppressing CFs proliferation. Our findings suggest that circ_0036176 inhibits mCFs proliferation by translating Myo9a-208 protein to suppress cyclin/Rb pathway.

There is evidence linking hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) to gut microbiota dysbiosis, and this relationship was corroborated in a large HFMD patient population in our previous study. Here, we present a bacterial 16S rRNA gene dataset from faecal samples of 713 individuals (254 HFMD patients, 459 healthy controls) aged 2 to 7 years residing in Heyuan and Jiangmen counties, Guangdong Province, southern China. Microbiome analysis indicated a significant increase in genus Prevotella, Cetobacterium, and Megamonas was observed in patients with HFMD, whereas a large increase in genus Bacteroides, Ruminococcus, and Faecalibacterium were seen in the control group. We also share the bioinformatic analytical pipeline for this analysis, from data preprocessing to data filtering and amplicon sequence variant (ASV) table generation. We expect that the dataset will be reprocessed, evaluated and fully analysed with various analysis methods to further elucidate the role of the gut microbiota in HFMD development.

Background Effective-component compatibility of Bufei Yishen formula III (ECC-BYF III) demonstrates positive effects on stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Purpose To investigate the mechanisms of ECC-BYF III on COPD rats from the aspect of airway epithelial cell senescence. Methods COPD model rats (Sprague-Dawley rat) were treated with ECC-BYF III for 8 weeks, and the efficacy was evaluated. Cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced senescence model of airway epithelial cells was treated with ECC-BYF III, and related enzymes and proteins involved in oxidative stress and mitophagy were detected. Results ECC-BYF III markedly rescued pulmonary function and histopathological changes, which might be associated with the amelioration of lung senescence, including the reduction of malondialdehyde (MDA) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 levels, increase of the level in total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), and decease in the p21 level in the airways. Furthermore, ECC-BYF III suppressed p16 and p21 expressions and senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) in CSE-induced airway epithelial cells. Moreover, ECC-BYF III upregulated mitophagy-related proteins, including the co-localizations of TOM20 and LC3B, PINK1 and PARK2, and improved mitochondrial function by upregulating mitochondrial mitofusin (MFN)2 and reducing dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) expression. ECC-BYF III enhanced the activities of T-SOD and GSH-PX by up-regulating NRF2, thus inhibiting oxidative stress. After intervention with NRF2 inhibitor, the regulation effects of ECC-BYF III on oxidative stress, mitophagy and senescence in airway epithelial cells were significantly suppressed. Conclusions ECC-BYF III exerts beneficial effects on COPD rats by ameliorating airway epithelial cell senescence, which is mediated by inhibiting oxidative stress and subsequently enhancing mitophagy through the activation of NRF2 signaling.

Background Malignant ventricular arrhythmia (VA) is a major contributor to sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)-induced right heart failure (RHF). Recently, dapagliflozin (DAPA), a sodium/glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i), has been found to exhibit cardioprotective effects in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction. In this study, we examined the effects of DAPA on VA vulnerability in a rat model of PAH-induced RHF. Methods Rats randomly received monocrotaline (MCT, 60 mg/kg) or vehicle via a single intraperitoneal injection. A day later, MCT-injected rats were randomly treated with placebo, low-dose DAPA (1 mg/kg/day), or high-dose (3 mg/kg/day) DAPA orally for 35 days. Echocardiographic analysis, haemodynamic experiments, and histological assessments were subsequently performed to confirm the presence of PAH-induced RHF. Right ventricle (RV) expression of calcium (Ca2+) handling proteins were detected via Western blotting. RV expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) was determined via immunohistochemical staining. An optical mapping study was performed to assess the electrophysiological characteristics in isolated hearts. Cellular Ca2+ imaging from RV cardiomyocytes (RVCMs) was recorded using Fura-2 AM or Fluo-4 AM. Results High-dose DAPA treatment attenuated RV structural remodelling, improved RV function, alleviated Cx43 remodelling, increased the conduction velocity, restored the expression of key Ca2+ handling proteins, increased the threshold for Ca2+ and action potential duration (APD) alternans, decreased susceptibility to spatially discordant APD alternans and spontaneous Ca2+ events, promoted cellular Ca2+ handling, and reduced VA vulnerability in PAH-induced RHF rats. Low-dose DAPA treatment also showed antiarrhythmic effects in hearts with PAH-induced RHF, although with a lower level of efficacy. Conclusion DAPA administration reduced VA vulnerability in rats with PAH-induced RHF by improving RVCM Ca2+ handling.

Background Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (LRP4) plays a critical role in the central nervous system (CNS), including hippocampal synaptic plasticity, maintenance of excitatory synaptic transmission, fear regulation, as well as long-term potentiation (LTP). Results In this study, we found that Lrp4 was highly expressed in layer II of the piriform cortex. Both body weight and brain weight decreased in Lrp4ECD/ECD mice without TMD (Transmembrane domain) and ICD (intracellular domain) of LRP4. However, in the piriform cortical neurons of Lrp4ECD/ECD mice, the spine density increased, and the frequency of both mEPSC (miniature excitatory postsynaptic current) and sEPSC (spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current) was enhanced. Intriguingly, finding food in the buried food-seeking test was prolonged in both Lrp4ECD/ECD mice and Lrp4 cKO (conditional knockout of Lrp4 in the piriform cortex) mice. Conclusions This study indicated that the full length of LRP4 in the piriform cortex was necessary for maintaining synaptic plasticity and the integrity of olfactory function.

Encryption technology has a great influence on data security. There are many encryptions have been proposed. In general, the encryptions with higher complexity will provide higher security, but it will also consume a lot of computing resources. In some cases, these high complexity method may not suitable such as Internet of Thing devices. This is because Internet of Thing device has lower computing power due to the size and the limited battery. Therefore, most of Internet of Thing (IoT) devices are used symmetric encryption as the main method. However, this kind of symmetric encryption algorithms are easy to occur weak keys such as data encryption algorithm (DES). This will expose IoT devices to high risk environments. In this study, a new fitness function has given and then a Genetic Algorithm-based symmetric key generation is proposed. As the simulation results, our proposed method can provide higher randomness and very low probability to occur the weak keys so that the data security in IoT environment will be increased significantly.

Increasing evidence has shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) participate in cardiac fibrosis. We aimed to elucidate the effect of miRNA miR-25-3p on cardiac fibrosis. MiRNA microarray was used to profile miRNAs in the myocardium of angiotensin-II (Ang-II)-infused mice. Effect of miR-25-3p on expression of fibrosis-related genes, including Col1a1, Col3a1, and Acta2, was investigated both in vitro and in vivo. MiR-25-3p was shown increased in the myocardium of Ang-II-infused mice and patients with heart failure. MiR-25-3p enhanced fibrosis-related gene expression in mouse cardiac fibroblasts (mCFs) and in the myocardium of Ang-II-infused mice. Dickkopf 3 (Dkk3) was identified as a target gene of miR-25-3p, and Dkk3 could ameliorate Smad3 activation and fibrosis-related gene expression via enhancing Smad7 expression in mCFs. Additionally, NF-κB signal was proven to mediate upregulation of miR-25-3p in cardiac fibrosis. Our findings suggest that miR-25-3p enhances cardiac fibrosis by suppressing Dkk3 to activate Smad3 and fibrosis-related gene expression.

The adsorption kinetic characteristics of CH4, CO2, and N2 in coal provide crucial information for increasing coal seam gas recovery. In this study, isothermal adsorption kinetics experiments were conducted using automatic high-pressure gas adsorption analyzer to reveal differences in adsorption kinetic characteristics of CH4, CO2, and N2 in coal. The research shows that, before reaching adsorption equilibrium, the adsorption ratio of CO2 was higher than that of N2 while that of CH4 was the smallest. The initial adsorption rates of CO2, CH4, and N2 were 1998, 205, and 76 cm3 g−1 h−1, respectively. The order of decreasing gas adsorption rate with respect to the fluctuation zone was CO2 → N2 → CH4. Before reaching adsorption equilibrium, the gas adsorption ratio at high temperature was higher than that at low temperature. The adsorption rates (Rt) of gas were divided into a rapid decay zone (Rt > 0.1 Qe/h), slow decay zone (0.01 Qe/h

Hydraulic fracturing technology is widely used in the development of tight reservoirs. Hydraulic fracture closure highly impacts oil and gas production in tight reservoirs, and a quantitative description of the effective width and fracture conductivity has a guiding significance for fracturing design and productivity prediction. In this paper, based on the mechanical characteristics of proppants in hydraulic fracturing, a fracture width model is first established for sandstone and shale reservoirs, and the effect of the closing pressure on the rock mechanics parameters of proppants is considered. Then, by the changes in fracture width and proppant permeability, a fracture conductivity model is built. Finally, the models are verified with existing experimental data, and are applied to analyze the influence of relevant parameters on the effective width and fracture conductivity of hydraulic fractures. Fracture closure is primarily affected by proppant deformation and embedment. An increase in the proppant elastic modulus can reduce proppant deformation and avoid fracture closure. A fracture containing large proppant more readily closes during the production process, and the closing pressure has a considerable effect on the proppant rock mechanical parameters, which can prevent the fracture from closing to maintain its conductivity. In this study, fracture closure and its conductivity are predicted, which is conducive to the production of tight reservoirs.

Bi thin films were grown on (111)-oriented 0.7Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–0.3PbTiO3 (PMN–PT) single-crystal substrates by pulsed laser deposition. Resistance of Bi/PMN–PT could be modulated by asymmetrical bipolar electric field in a reversible and nonvolatile manner at 300 K. By tuning asymmetrical bipolar electric field, different nonvolatile strain states could be generated in PMN–PT and transferred to Bi thin film, which leads to different nonvolatile resistance states. Furthermore, different resistance states of the Bi films could be achieved under different magnetic field at 300 K. The ferroelastic strain- and magnetic-field-modulated resistive properties in Bi/PMN–PT suggest a promising approach for multistate resistive memories.

The urgent demands for high-energy-density rechargeable batteries promote a flourishing development of Li metal anode. However, the uncontrollable dendrites growth and serious side reactions severely limit its commercial application. Herein, an artificial LiF-rich solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) is constructed at molecular-level using one-step photopolymerization of hexafluorobutyl acrylate based solution, where the LiF is in situ generated during photopolymerization process (denoted as PHALF). The LiF-rich layer comprised flexible polymer matrix and inorganic LiF filler not only ensures intimate contact with Li anode and adapts volume fluctuations during cycling but also regulates Li deposition behavior, enabling it to suppress the dendrite growth and block side reactions between the electrolyte and Li metal. Accordingly, the PHALF-Li anode presents superior stable cycling performance over 500 h at 1 mA·cm−2 for 1 mA·h·cm−2 without dendrites growth in carbonate electrolyte. The work provides a novel approach to design and build in situ artificial SEI layer for high-safety and stable Li metal anodes.

QTL mapping and candidate gene analysis indicate that allelic variations in BnaC2.MYB28 resulted from homeologous exchange and determine difference in seed glucosinolate content. A low seed glucosinolate content has long been an important breeding objective in rapeseed improvement. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying seed GSL content variations remain to be elucidated in allotetraploid Brassica napus. Here, we developed a double haploid population from a cross between two B. napus accessions that possess relatively low, but significantly different seed GSL contents and identified a major QTL, qGSL-C2, on chromosome C02 that explains 30.88-72.87% of the phenotypic variation observed in five environments. Using near-isogenic lines, we further delimited qGSL-C2 to a physical region of 49 kb on the B. rapa chromosome A02 which is highly homologous to the target C02 interval. Among five candidate genes, BnaC2.MYB28, a homologue of the Arabidopsis MYB28 encoding a putative R2R3-MYB-type transcription factor functioning in aliphatic methionine-derived GSL synthesis, was most likely to be the target gene underlying the QTL. Sequence analysis revealed multiple insertion/deletion and SNP variations in the genomic region between the alleles of the NILs. Furthermore, the allelic variations in BnaC2.MYB28 in the natural B. napus population were significantly associated with seed GSL content. Remarkably, the phylogenetic analysis and sequence comparison suggested that while the BnaC2.MYB28 allele from the parental line G120 was inherited from B. oleracea BolC2.MYB28, its counterpart from the other parent, 9172, most likely evolved from B. rapa BraA2.MYB28 via possible homeologous exchange. Our study promotes greater understanding of the molecular regulation of seed GSL content and provides useful molecular markers for seed GSL improvement in B. napus.

Background In this study, we tried to access the efficacy and safety of oxaliplatin plus S-1 with intraperitoneal paclitaxel (PTX) for the treatment of Chinese advanced gastric cancer with peritoneal metastases. Patients and methods Thirty patients diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer underwent laparoscopic exploration and were enrolled when macroscopic disseminated metastases (P1) were confirmed. PTX was diluted in 1 l of normal saline and IP administered through peritoneal port at an initial dose of 40 mg/m2 over 1 h on day1,8, respectively. Oxaliplatin was administered intravenously at an initial dose of 100 mg/m2 on day1, and S-1 was administered orally at an initial dose of 80 mg/m2 for 14 days followed by 7 days rest, repeated by every 3 weeks. Results Of all these 30 patients, the median number of cycles was 6 (range 2–16) due to the limitation of hematotoxicity and peripheral neuropathy by oxaliplatin. There were 11 (36.7%) patients received conversion surgery. The median progression free survival (PFS) was 6.6 months (95% CI = 4.7–8.5 months) and the median overall survival (OS) was 15.1 months (95% CI = 12.4–17.8 months). The grade 3–4 hematological toxicities were leucopenia (23.3%), neutropenia (23.3%), anemia (16.7%), and thrombocytopenia (20%), respectively. The grade 3–4 non-hematological toxicities were tolerated, most of which were peripheral sensory neuropathy (40%) due to oxaliplatin, diarrhea (20%), nausea and vomiting (26.7%). Conclusions SOX+ip PTX regimen was effective in advanced gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis. Survival time was significantly prolonged by conversion surgery. Grade 3–4 toxicities were uncommon. Large scale clinical trial is necessary to get more evidence to identify its efficacy. Trail registration ChiCTR, ChiCTR-IIR-16009802. Registered 9 November 2016

A collector with high perveance, efficient recuperation, and low secondary emissions is required for the 450-keV electron cooler in the HIAF accelerator complex. To optimize the collection efficiency of the collector, a simulation program, based on the Monte Carlo simulations, was developed in the world’s first attempt to calculate the electron collection efficiency. In this program, the backscattering electrons and secondary electrons generated on the collector surface are calculated using a Monte Carlo approach, and all electron trajectories in the collector region are tracked by the Runge–Kutta method. In this paper, the features and structure of our program are described. The backscattering electron yields, with various collector surface materials, are calculated using our program. Moreover, the collector efficiencies for various collector structures and electromagnetic fields are simulated and optimized. The measurement results of the collection efficiency of the HIAF collector prototype and the CSRm synchrotron are also reported. These experimental results were in good agreement with the simulation results of our program.

Androgen receptor (AR) signaling inhibitors provide limited survival benefits to patients with prostate cancer (PCa), and worse, few feasible genomic lesions restrict targeted treatment to PCa. Thus, a better understanding of the critical dependencies of PCa may enable more feasible therapeutic approaches to the dilemma. We performed a kinome-scale CRISPR/Cas9 screen and identified cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) as being conservatively required for PCa cell survival. Suppression of CDK12 by the covalent inhibitor THZ531 led to an obvious anti-PCa effect. Mechanistically, THZ531 downregulated AR signaling and preferentially repressed a distinct class of CDK12 inhibition-sensitive transcripts (CDK12-ISTs), including prostate lineage-specific genes, and contributed to cellular survival processes. Integration of the super-enhancer (SE) landscape and CDK12-ISTs indicated a group of potential PCa oncogenes, further conferring the sensitivity of PCa cells to CDK12 inhibition. Importantly, THZ531 strikingly synergized with multiple AR antagonists. The synergistic effect may be driven by attenuated H3K27ac signaling on AR targets and an intensive SE-associated apoptosis pathway. In conclusion, we highlight the validity of CDK12 as a druggable target in PCa. The synergy of THZ531 and AR antagonists suggests a potential combination therapy for PCa.

Snow resisting capacity of vegetation is important for secondary distribution of water resources in seasonal snow areas of grassland because it affects the regeneration, growth and nutrient circulation of vegetation in grassland. This study investigated vegetation characteristics (canopy height, canopy length and crown width) of Caragana microphylla Lam. (shrub) and Achnatherum splendens (Trin.) Nevski. (herb), and snow morphologies (snow depth, snow width and snow braid length) in a typical steppe region of Inner Mongolia, China in 2017. And the influence of vegetation characteristic on snow resisting capacity (the indices of bottom area of snow and snow volume reflect snow resisting capacity) was analyzed. The results showed that snow morphology depends on vegetation characteristics of shrub and herb. The canopy height was found to have the greatest influence on snow depth and the crown width had the greatest influence on snow width. The canopy length was found to have little influence on morphological parameters of snow. When the windward areas of C. microphylla and A. splendens were within the ranges of 0.0–0.5 m2 and 0.0–8.0 m2, respectively, the variation of snow cover was large; however, beyond these areas, the variation of snow cover became gradually stable. The potential area of snow retardation for a single plant was 1.5–2.5 m2 and the amount of snow resistance was 0.15–0.20 m3. The bottom area of snow and snow volume (i.e., snow resisting capacity) of clumped C. microphylla and A. splendens was found to be 4 and 25 times that of individual plant, respectively. The results could provide a theoretical basis both for the estimation of snow cover and the establishment of a plant-based technical system for the control of windblown snow in the typical steppe region of Inner Mongolia.

We report on measurements and analysis of telegraph noise of acoustoelectric current induced the surface acoustic waves-based single-electron-transport devices at 1.7 K. Trapping and detrapping electrons in the defect are considered as the physical origin of random telegraph noise. A theoretical model is designed by regarding the impurity potential as the coulomb potential of point charge. And the transitions of different metastable states in the course of measuring current could be well explained by this simplified model. Furthermore, our experimental data indicate that the current noises gradually decrease and finally vanish with the increase of radio frequency (RF) power. Therefore, the RF power in the interdigital transducer could well modulate the amplitude of telegraph noise.

The dislocation properties of intermetallic compound (IMC) B2-AlPr in {110} plane is studied in detail based on the truncated approximation method in this paper. The results suggest that the core width of screw dislocation and edge dislocation of Burgers vector is wider than that of . Meanwhile, their unstable-stacking-fault energy ($$ \gamma_{\text{us}} $$) of $$ \gamma_{\text{us}} \langle 110\rangle > \gamma_{\text{us}} \langle 001\rangle $$ indicates that the unstable-stacking-fault energy performs very important function on the core width of screw dislocation. The easiest slip system of B2-AlPr is {110}. The lattice misfit energy is always less than elastic strain energy except the dislocation angle with 54.7°. The phase position of misfit energy and elastic strain energy is always showing opposite phases. However, the misfit energy is greater than elastic strain energy for 54.7° dislocation, and shows the same phase. The misfit energy, elastic strain energy, total energy and the corresponding stress decrease with the increasing of dislocation angle.

Cocrystal modification strategy has been applied to 3,5-dichlorosalicylic acid (DCA) through the addition of various liquid pyrazine derivatives: 2,3-dimethylpyrazine (2,3-DMP); 2,5-dimethylpyrazine (2,5-DMP); and 2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine (TMP). Three new cocrystals (2,3-DMP-DCA = 1:2 for 1; 2,5-DMP-DCA = 1:2 for 2; and TMP-DCA = 1:1 for 3) have been obtained, all of which were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analyses and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The Hirshfeld surface analysis has been performed to illustrate the intermolecular interactions. The results revealed that hydrogen bonding and other weaker interactions such as halogen bonding contacts and π···π stacking participated in a cooperative way to stabilize the supramolecular structures and different methyl substitutions changed the bonding mode and intermolecular force of pyrazine derivative cocrystals. Thermodynamic results showed that the stability of liquid pyrazine spices can be improved and the decomposition temperature for cocrystal 3 is higher than the other cocrystals. This work provides an approach to solidification of liquid pyrazine spices for more applications.

The A-site sublattice order of the Na0.5Bi0.46K0.04TiO2.96 (NBT-K4) compound was changed by the isovalent Na+ ions partly substituting K+ ions. The Na0.5+xBi0.46K0.04−xTiO2.96 (x = 0, 0.01 and 0.02) samples were prepared. By the AC impedance test, the grain conductivity of the Na0.52Bi0.46K0.02TiO2.96 (x = 0.02) samples is 8.23 × 10−4 S/cm at 623 K, which is around 1.65 times higher than that of NBT-K4 sample at the same tested temperature. By anatomizing relaxation spectroscopy, when the Na-doped content x in the NBT-K4 compound increases from 0 to 2 mol%, the activation energy E decreases from 0.64 to 0.57 eV. Accompany with the rise of the Na-doped content in the NBT-K4 compound, although the mobile oxygen vacancy content decreases, the oxygen vacancy diffusivity are strengthened. The higher oxygen vacancy jumping rates and lower oxygen relaxation activation energies were found in the Na-doped NBT-K4 samples, which causes the higher grain conductivity in the Na0.5+xBi0.46K0.04−xTiO2.96 (x = 0.01 and 0.02) samples. There is the higher oxygen-ion conductivity and lower activation energy in the relative A-site order of Na-doped NBT-K4 compound, which is consistent with the first principle simulation results. The investigation provides a new way to design a high oxygen-ion conductivity NBT-based oxide ion conductors and related materials.

Enhanced green and red upconversion emissions under 980 nm excitation are observed in Ba0.85−xCa0.15TiO3:0.75%Er3+/xIn3+ lead-free ferroelectric ceramics which were synthesized by solid state reaction method. With increasing In3+ ions doping level from x = 0% mol the green and red emission intensities increase and reach the maximum at x = 1.75% mol. The maximum intensity of green emission at 550 nm is 20 times larger than In3+ ions undoped samples, which is unprecedented for Er3+-doped perovskite ferroelectric materials. Based on the ultraviolet-visible-near infrared absorption spectra, the enhancement of the luminescence intensity of the A-site In3+ doped Ba0.85−xCa0.15TiO3:0.75%Er/xIn ceramics is attributed to In3+-doping-induced relative increase in isolate Er3+ and decrease in the clustered-Er3+. The effects of In3+ doping on the crystal structure, dielectric, ferroelectric, piezoelectric properties of the ceramics were also studied and discussed.

Rechargeable aprotic alkali metal (Li or Na)-O2 batteries are the subject of great interest because of their high theoretical specific energy. However, the growth of dendrites and cracks at the Li or Na anode, as well as their corrosive oxidation lead to poor cycling stability and safety issues. Understanding the mechanism and improving Li/Na-ion plating and stripping electrochemistry are therefore essential to realizing their technological potential. Here, we report how the use of a Li-Na alloy anode and an electrolyte additive realizes an aprotic bimetal Li-Na alloy-O2 battery with improved cycling stability. Electrochemical investigations show that stripping and plating of Li and Na and the robust and flexible passivation film formed in situ (by 1,3-dioxolane additive reacting with the Li-Na alloy) suppress dendrite and buffer alloy anode volume expansion and thus prevent cracking, avoiding electrolyte consumption and ensuring high electron transport efficiency and continued electrochemical reactions.

BackgroundWorking in an underground tunnel environment is unavoidable in professions such as miners and tunnel workers, and there is a concern about the health of these workers. Few studies have addressed alterations in the intestinal microbiome of workers within that environment.ResultsFecal samples were collected from the workers before they entered the tunnel (baseline status, BS) and after they left the tunnel (exposed status, ES), respectively (a time period of 3 weeks between them). We analyzed 16S rRNA sequencing to show the changes in microbial composition and self-evaluation of mental health questionnaire was also performed. The results showed that Shannon and Simpson indices decreased significantly from BS to ES. A higher abundance was found in the phylumActinobacteria, classesActinobacteriaandDeltaproteobacteria, ordersBifidobacteriales,Coriobacteriales, andDesulfovibrionales, familiesBifidobacteriaceae,Peptostreptococcaceae,Coriobacteriaceae,Clostridiaceae_1,Desulfovibrionaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, and Microbacteriaceae, and generaBifidobacterium,Romboutsia,Clostridiumsensu stricto, andLeucobacterin ES, while BS showed greater levels of generaFaecalibacteriumandRoseburia. The self-evaluation showed that at least one-half of the tunnel workers experienced one or more symptoms of mental distress (inattention, sleeplessness, loss of appetite, headache or dizziness, irritability) after working in the underground tunnel environment.ConclusionsCollectively, the underground tunnel environment led to alterations in the intestinal microbiome, which might be relevant to symptoms of mental distress in underground-tunnel workers.