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Growing evidence indicates that handgrip strength (HGS) is a conspicuous marker for assessing some diseases affecting middle-aged and elderly individuals. However, research regarding HGS and heart failure (HF) is sparse and controversial. Hence, we aimed to investigate the association between HGS and HF among adults aged 45 years and older in the United States. In this cross-sectional study, we included 4524 adults older than 45 years who were part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A generalized additive model was used to estimate the association between HGS and HF. Age, gender, race, income, education, body mass index, smoking status, drinking status, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, vigorous physical activity, total energy intake, total protein intake, total sugars intake, and total fat intake covariates were adjusted using multiple regression models. And further subgroup analysis was conducted. We documented 189 cases of HF, including 106 men and 83 women. HGS was negatively associated with HF after adjusting for all the covariates (odds ratio = 0.97, 95% confidence interval = 0.96–0.99; P P

We introduce GUARDIAN, a near-real-time (NRT) ionospheric monitoring software for natural hazards warning. GUARDIAN’s ultimate goal is to use NRT total electronic content (TEC) time series to (1) allow users to explore ionospheric TEC perturbations due to natural and anthropogenic events on earth, (2) automatically detect those perturbations, and (3) characterize potential natural hazards. The main goal of GUARDIAN is to provide an augmentation to existing natural hazards early warning systems (EWS). This contribution focuses mainly on objective (1): collecting GNSS measurements in NRT, computing TEC time series, and displaying them on a public website (https://guardian.jpl.nasa.gov). We validate the time series obtained in NRT using well-established post-processing methods. Furthermore, we present an inverse modeling proof of concept to obtain tsunami wave parameters from TEC time series, contributing significantly to objective (3). Note that objectives (2) and (3) are only introduced here as parts of the general architecture, and are not currently operational. In its current implementation, the GUARDIAN system uses more than 70 GNSS ground stations distributed around the Pacific Ring of Fire, and monitoring four GNSS constellations (GPS, Galileo, BDS, and GLONASS). As of today, and to the best of our knowledge, GUARDIAN is the only software available and capable of providing multi-GNSS NRT TEC time series over the Pacific region to the general public and scientific community.

A pot experiment was carried out to study the response of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) and broadleaf tree species (Schima superba, Cinnamomum camphora, Cyclobalanopsis glauca), representing respective native invasive and non-invasive plants in subtropical China, to N addition with three NH4+/NO3− ratios. We used 15N isotope tracing and high-throughput sequencing to study the N cycling and soil microbial communities. With an increasing NH4+/NO3− ratio, total plant biomass increased for bamboo but decreased for broadleaf trees, coinciding with the preferential assimilation of NH4+ by bamboo and NO3− by broadleaf trees, as indicated by the activities of glutamine synthetase and nitrate reductase and the enrichment of 15N in roots. The ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) rather than the ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) community responded to the addition of N with different NH4+/NO3− ratios and a distinct AOA community was formed when the NH4+/NO3− ratio was greater than one. The relationship between AOA abundance and NO3− concentration was positive for C. camphora and C. glauca but negative for P. edulis. Under addition of N with a high NH4+/NO3− ratio, the AOA composition was positively related to NO3− concentration for C. camphora but negatively for P. edulis. Addition of N with a high NH4+/NO3− ratio favored biomass production but suppressed soil nitrification for bamboo in contrast to broadleaf trees. The species-specific response to soil NH4+/NO3− ratio may be an important factor that facilitates bamboo invasion into broadleaf forests.

International audience; Quantification of fossil fuel carbon dioxide emissions (CEs) at fine space and time resolution is a critical need in climate change research and carbon cycle. Quantifying changes in spatiotemporal patterns of urban CEs is important to understand carbon cycle and development carbon reduction strategies. The existing spatial data of CEs have low resolution and cannot distinguish the distribution characteristics of CEs of different emission sectors. This study quantified CEs from 15 types of energy sources, including residential, tertiary, and industrial sectors in Shanghai. Additionally, we mapped the CEs for the three sectors using point of interest data and web crawler technology, which is different from traditional methods. At a resolution of 30 m, the improved CEs data has a higher spatial resolution than existing studies. The spatial distribution of CEs based on this study has higher spatial resolution and more details than that based on traditional methods, and can distinguish the spatial distribution characteristics of different sectors. The results indicated that there was a consistent increase in CEs during 2000-2015, with a low rate of increase during 2009-2015. The intensity of CEs increased significantly in the outskirts of the city, mainly due to industrial transfer. Moreover, intensity of CEs reduced in city center. Technological progress has promoted the improvement of energy efficiency, and there has been a decoupling between the economic development and CEs in the city was observed during in 2000-2015. Greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide, contribute to global warming 1 , which is a threat for humans 2,3. Studies have shown that urban areas account for 2% of the total land area, but produce 80% of the greenhouse gas emissions 4,5. In 2014, the urban population exceeded 65% of the global population 6. Cities are the main areas of human activity and greenhouse gas emissions 7. To cope with global climate change and protect the environment, greenhouse gas emissions have drawn increasing attention 8. However, urban expansion and population growth have driven increasingly intensified carbon dioxide emissions (CEs) in cities, particularly in China 9. In recent decades, China has experienced rapid economic growth, environmental damage, and massive energy consumption. In 2014, the CEs of China were 10.29 billion tons, 4.21 times that in 1990, far higher than those of the United States (5.25 billion tons) and other developed countries (https:// data. world bank. org). To date, extensive validation of CEs and their environmental effects have been conducted 10,11 , and measuring CEs from energy consumption has received increasing attention 12-14. For example, Lu 15 quantified and analyzed the impact of CEs from fossil fuel consumption at the national level. Wang 16 analyzed the driving factors of CEs in China. Numerous studies have been conducted on carbon dioxide accounting. Methods of measuring CEs from various processes are developed. Three methods are widely used for carbon accounting: bottom-up, topdown, and hybrid approaches 17-19. The top-down method is mainly a production-based accounting approach and is extremely useful for quantifying energy flows between regions and countries 4. Although the top-down method requires less time and labor, it is not suitable for carbon accounting of small systems. The bottom-up method is used for a consumption-based accounting method, which is based on resource consumption at each step of human activity and life cycle analysis (LCA) 4. The bottom-up method has a relatively high accuracy, but time-consuming and requires a large amount of data 4. The hybrid method includes the synthesis of bottom-up

Alcohol is commonly consumed around mealtimes. This study hypothesized that the association between alcohol and hypertension was influenced by overall diet quality. This study aims to test the hypothesis that overall diet quality influenced associations between alcohol and risk of hypertension across different ethnicities. Using nationally representative data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(NHANES 03–12), China Health Nutrition Survey (CHNS), and an independent population-based study, 43,914 adults were included. Subgroup analysis included 6984 adults from CHNS with a 14-year follow-up. Light alcohol consumption was defined as 21 drinks/week. Alternative healthy eating index and diet balance index were calculated as indicators of diet quality. There were 3968 hypertensives in Caucasians (N = 11,325), 1976 in Africans (N = 5010), 1907 in Hispanics (N = 7274) and 5267 (N = 20,305) in Chinese. In context of high diet quality, light alcohol consumption was significantly associated with decreased risk of hypertension in Caucasians, and the risk of hypertension was not significantly increased with increasing in alcohol consumption in Caucasians, Chinese, and Hispanics (all Pfor trend > 0.05). On the contrary, in context of low diet quality, the risk of hypertension was significantly increased with increasing in alcohol consumption in Caucasians (Pfor trend = 0.005), Chinese (Pfor trend = 0.001) and Hispanics (Pfor trend = 0.022). Associations between alcohol consumption and risk of hypertension significantly varied by diet-quality scores in Caucasians, Hispanics, and Chinese (all Pfor interaction

In China, large cities are often held to blame for the drastic loss of high-quality farmland. However, others propose that the development of large cities should be prioritized for their scale economy in saving farmland. A policy debate remains regarding which urbanization mode—developing a few large or many small cities—can minimize the impacts of urban expansion on farmland loss. The present study aims to clarify the controversy by quantifying the quantity and quality of urbanization-encroached farmland (UEF) in different sizes of cities. We proposed two indexes to quantify the UEF among different sizes of cities during 2000–2010: “the UEF area per urban population growth” and “the average potential yield of UEF”. Furthermore, we proposed a spatial prioritization matrix to facilitate place-based policy design for UEF management. The super large cities (SLC) consumed the least UEF area per urban population growth and also the lowest average potential yield of UEF. However, there were large variations within city categories in both the quality and quantity dimensions. Farmland loss to urban expansion is determined by a city’s biophysical and socio-political conditions. Our analyses show that urban growth of SLC consumed smaller quantity of farmland when accommodating a certain amount of urban population. Containing the development of large cities in the name of food security is ineffective, which will cause double failures in farmland preservation and urban development. As the impacts of urban expansion on farmland loss are highly place-variant and urban sustainability is more than just food security, place-based policies following the landscape sustainability perspective are needed to address urban encroachment of farmland.

Two-dimensional(2D) materials with a high density and low power consumption have become the most popular candidates for next-generation semiconductor electronic devices. As a prototype 2D material, graphene has attracted much attention owing to its stability and ultrahigh mobility. However, zero band gap of graphene leads to very low on-off ratios and thus limits its applications in electronic devices, such as transistors. Although some new 2D materials and doped graphene have nonzero band gaps, the electronic mobility is sacrificed. In this study, to open the band gap of graphene with high electronic mobility, the structure and property of BN-doped graphene were evaluated using first-principles calculations. The formation energies indicate that the six-membered BN rings doped graphene has the most favorable configuration. The band structures show that the band gaps can be opened by such type of doping. Also, the Dirac-cone-like band dispersion of graphene is mostly inhibited, ensuring high electronic mobility. Therefore, codoping BN into graphene might provide 2D materials with nonzero band gaps and high electronic mobility.

Modern day aerobic respiration in mitochondria involving complex I converts redox energy into chemical energy and likely evolved from a simple anaerobic system now represented by hydrogen gas-evolving hydrogenase (MBH) where protons are the terminal electron acceptor. Here we present the cryo-EM structure of an early ancestor in the evolution of complex I, the elemental sulfur (S0)-reducing reductase MBS. Three highly conserved protein loops linking cytoplasmic and membrane domains enable scalable energy conversion in all three complexes. MBS contains two proton pumps compared to one in MBH and likely conserves twice the energy. The structure also reveals evolutionary adaptations of MBH that enabled S0 reduction by MBS catalyzed by a site-differentiated iron-sulfur cluster without participation of protons or amino acid residues. This is the simplest mechanism proposed for reduction of inorganic or organic disulfides. It is of fundamental significance in the iron and sulfur-rich volcanic environments of early earth and possibly the origin of life. MBS provides a new perspective on the evolution of modern-day respiratory complexes and of catalysis by biological iron-sulfur clusters., The sulfur-reducing enzyme MBS and the hydrogen-gas evolving MBH are the evolutionary link between the ancestor Mrp antiporter and the mitochondrial respiratory complex I. Here, the authors characterise MBS from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus, solve its cryo-EM structure and discuss the structural evolution from Mrp to MBH and MBS and to the modern-day complex I.

Although hyperuricemia and obesity are significantly correlated, their temporal relationship and whether this relationship is associated with future risk of diabetes are largely unknown. This study examined temporal relationship between hyperuricemia and obesity, and its association with future risk of type 2 diabetes. This study examined two longitudinal cohorts totally including 17,044 subjects from China with an average of 6.0 years follow-up. Measurements of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), percentage of body fat and fasting serum uric acid were obtained at two time points. Cross-lagged panel and mediation analysis were used to examine the temporal relationship between hyperuricemia and obesity, and the association of this temporal relationship with follow-up diabetes. In combined data of the two cohorts, the cross-lagged path coefficient (β1 = 0.121; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.108–0.135) from baseline uric acid to the follow-up BMI was significantly greater than the path coefficient (β2 = 0.055, 95% CI: 0.038–0.072) from baseline BMI to the follow-up uric acid (P = 8.14e−10 for the difference between β1 and β2) with adjustment for covariates. The separate cross-lagged path models of uric acid with WC and percentage of body fat showed temporal patterns similar to that noted for uric acid with BMI. Further, the path coefficient (β1) from baseline uric acid to follow-up BMI in the group with diabetes was significantly greater than without diabetes (P = 0.003 for the difference of β1s in the two groups). BMI partially mediated the association of uric acid with risk of diabetes, and the percentage of mediated-association was estimated at 20.3% (95% CI: 15.7–24.8%). Results of these analyses in the combined data were consistent with those in the two cohorts, respectively. These findings indicated that increased uric acid levels probably associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes, and more definite research is needed to define any role for uric acid in relation to these diseases.

Two new benzolactones, 4-methoxy-6-(2-oxopropyl)isobenzofuran-1(3H)-one (1) and 4-methyl-6-(2-oxopropyl)isobenzofuran-1(3H)-one (2), were isolated from the leaves of Yunnan local sun cured tobacco. Their structures were determined by means of HR-ESI-MS and extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic studies. Compounds 1 and 2 were tested for their anti-tobacoo mosaic virus (TMV) activities and cytotoxicity activities. The results revealed that compounds 1 and 2 showed high anti-TMV activity with inhibition rates of 32.6 and 30.2%. These rates are close to that of positive control. Compounds 1 and 2 also showed weak inhibitory activities against some tested human tumor cell lines.

A metallogel containing Cr3+ ions has been prepared by means of the solvothermal method. This metallogel is observed to be stable on standing at room temperature at least for 3 months and possesses excellent chemical stability in aqueous solutions with pH scale ranging from 1 to 10. The value of the band gap for this xerogel obtained is 1.72 eV, and this gel is suitable for photocatalytic measurements. Interestingly, this metallogel possesses high catalytic activities toward the degradation of dyes under LED and natural light at room temperature, indicating this metallogel is active for the photodegradation of dyes. Furthermore, this xerogel can be reused at least four times without obviously decreasing in catalytic activity. To the best of our knowledge, this would be the first method where these dyes are degraded by the gel-based material. A stable metallogel can firstly act as an excellent dye degradation agent by the gel-based material under visible light.

Structural adaptation of arteries to weightlessness might lower the working ability or even threaten the physical health of astronauts, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. Acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) catalyzes ceramide (Cer) generation controlling arterial remodeling through multiple signaling pathways. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the contribution of ASM/Cer to the changes of common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) induced by simulated weightlessness. Hindlimb-unloaded tail-suspended (HU) rats were used to simulate the effect of weightlessness. Morphology of the carotid artery (CA) was examined by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Protein content of ASM or proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was detected by Western blot. Cer level was measured by immunohistochemistry analysis. Apoptosis events were observed by transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. During 4 weeks of tail suspension, CIMT was increased gradually in HU but not in their synchronous control rats (P

Highlights Two-dimensional transition metal carbides/nitrides (MXenes) as co-catalysts were summarized and classified according to the different synthesis methods used: mechanical mixing, self-assembly, in situ decoration, and oxidation.The working mechanism for MXenes application in photocatalysis was discussed. The improved photocatalytic performance was attributed to enhancement of charge separation and suppression of charge recombination., Since their seminal discovery in 2011, two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides/nitrides known as MXenes, that constitute a large family of 2D materials, have been targeted toward various applications due to their outstanding electronic properties. MXenes functioning as co-catalyst in combination with certain photocatalysts have been applied in photocatalytic systems to enhance photogenerated charge separation, suppress rapid charge recombination, and convert solar energy into chemical energy or use it in the degradation of organic compounds. The photocatalytic performance greatly depends on the composition and morphology of the photocatalyst, which, in turn, are determined by the method of preparation used. Here, we review the four different synthesis methods (mechanical mixing, self-assembly, in situ decoration, and oxidation) reported for MXenes in view of their application as co-catalyst in photocatalysis. In addition, the working mechanism for MXenes application in photocatalysis is discussed and an outlook for future research is also provided.

Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy (MNGIE) is an autosomal recessive disorder associated with mitochondrial alterations. MNGIE is characterized by severe gastrointestinal dysmotility, cachexia, ophthalmoplegia, ptosis, peripheral neuropathy, and leukoencephalopathy. The condition is caused by mutation of the TYMP gene. We studied the clinical and biochemical characteristics of a family with MNGIE. The proband was a 48-year-old male presenting with diarrhea and progressive weight loss. He also had ptosis and exhibited eyeball fixation. His blood and cerebrospinal fluid lactate levels were elevated. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed diffuse leukoencephalopathy. Ragged red fibers and cytochrome c oxidase-deficient fibers were apparent on muscle biopsy. His vision and ptosis deteriorated significantly during follow-up. Our clinical diagnosis of MNGIE was confirmed by TYMP gene analysis. We discovered a homozygous TYMP c.1193-1216 dup-GGGCGCTGCCGCTGGCGCTGGTGC mutation (a duplication). Some of the family members were heterozygous for the mutation but had no clinical features. We predicted the function of this mutation using PredictProtein and found that the secondary structure had changed in the region of the helix and strand, the transmembrane region, and the protein-protein binding sites. The family described herein exhibited biochemically, genetically, and functionally confirmed MNGIE syndrome.

Chain conformation order of poly (l-lactic acid) (PLLA) was investigated by time-lapsed Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and two-dimensional infrared correlation spectroscopy during the isothermal crystallization at 140 °C. The result showed that the PLLA formed α-crystal during the isothermal crystallization at 140 °C. According to the detailed information in the region of 1000–1500 cm−1 investigated by infrared and 2D correlation spectroscopy, it was found that the conformation of C–O–C groups changed prior to that of CH3 groups. Moreover, the formation of the initial helix chain conformation was interfered by the interchain interactions between the CH3 groups, which consequently resulted in the formation of α-crystal with the distorted 103 helix conformation.

Icariin, a plant-derived flavonoid, has multiple beneficial actions on the cardiovascular system. The current study investigated whether icariin postconditioning has any protective effects on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in vivo and its potential cardioprotective mechanisms. In in vivo rat model of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion, we found that postconditioning with icariin significantly reduced myocardial infarct size, serum level of TNF-α and IL-10, TNF-α and IL-10 expression, and apoptosis. Moreover, our results showed that icariin postconditioning exerts cardioprotective effect against myocardial I/R injury through activating PI3K/Akt using PI3K/Akt inhibitor LY294002.

Background Central pain (CP) is a common clinical problem in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Recent studies found the pathogenesis of CP was related to the remodeling of the brain. We investigate the roles of iron overload and subsequent oxidative stress in the remodeling of the brain after SCI. Methods We established a rat model of central pain after SCI. Rats were divided randomly into four groups: SCI, sham operation, SCI plus deferoxamine (DFX) intervention, and SCI plus nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor treatment. Pain behavior was observed and thermal pain threshold was measured regularly, and brain levels of iron, transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1), ferritin (Fn), and lactoferrin (Lf), were detected in the different groups 12 weeks after establishment of the model. Results Rats demonstrated self-biting behavior after SCI. Furthermore, the latent period of thermal pain was reduced and iron levels in the hind limb sensory area, hippocampus, and thalamus increased after SCI. Iron-regulatory protein (IRP) 1 levels increased in the hind limb sensory area, while Fn levels decreased. TfR1 mRNA levels were also increased and oxidative stress was activated. Oxidative stress could be inhibited by ferric iron chelators and NOS inhibitors. Conclusions SCI may cause intracranial iron overload through the NOS–iron-responsive element/IRP pathway, resulting in central pain mediated by the oxidative stress response. Iron chelators and oxidative stress inhibitors can effectively relieve SCI-associated central pain.

Intricate interactions between kinetochores and microtubules are essential for the proper distribution of chromosomes during mitosis. A crucial long-standing question is how vertebrate kinetochores generate chromosome motion while maintaining attachments to the dynamic plus ends of the multiple kinetochore MTs (kMTs) in a kinetochore fibre. Here, we demonstrate that individual kMTs in PtK(1) cells are attached to the kinetochore outer plate by several fibres that either embed the microtubule plus-end tips in a radial mesh, or extend out from the outer plate to bind microtubule walls. The extended fibres also interact with the walls of nearby microtubules that are not part of the kinetochore fibre. These structural data, in combination with other recent reports, support a network model of kMT attachment wherein the fibrous network in the unbound outer plate, including the Hec1-Ndc80 complex, dissociates and rearranges to form kMT attachments.

Enterococcus sp. was isolated from the midgut of silkworm against the germination ofNosema bombycis spores. Identification was based on the biochemical characteristics, 16S rDNA sequences analysis and species-specific probes ofEnterococcus spp. The isolated strains fermented sorbitol and arabinose but did not ferment raffinose.Enterococcus sp. was clustered together withEnterococcus mundtii ATCC 43188 and 100% sequence homology was found by 16S rDNA sequences BLAST analysis and constructing the phylogenetic tree. Comparison of the sequences of the 16S rDNA species-specific probes ofEnterococcus spp. with the 16S rDNA sequence of isolate revealed similar segment to the species-specific probe ofE. mundtii. So, we can make conclusion the 16S rDNA segment ofEnterococcus sp. can hybridise with species-specific probe ofE. mundtii. Enterococcus mundtii was detected for the first time in the intestine of silkworm.