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The present study investigates the influence of micron‐sized diatomite dosage on the physical, mechanical, rheological, and creep properties of poplar wood/polypropylene (PW/PP) composites to enhance their toughness and practicality. The diatomite‐PW/PP composites were prepared using the melt extrusion method, replacing different proportions of PW with diatomite, and subsequently evaluated for their properties. The results indicate that adding diatomite enhances the density while reducing the brightness and water absorption of the composites. Scanning electron microscopy, analysis reveals a uniform distribution of diatomite in the range of 5–10 wt%, which effectively serves as a filler and reinforcing agent, consequently improving the toughness of the composite system. Specifically, the impact strength, tensile strength, and elongation at break are enhanced by 25.9%, 9.5%, and 35.7%, respectively. Furthermore, creep rheological analysis demonstrates improved processability and creep resistance in the composite system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) is a critically endangered mammal with a highly specialized diet. To enhance nutritional knowledge of its diet, we analyzed the colony composition of a nest of Polyrhachis dives ants, which is the key natural prey in the Chinese pangolin's diet. In addition, we determined the nutrient composition of the total colony compared with adult ants. Nutrients quantified in this study included: crude protein, crude fat, carbohydrate, and amino acids, minerals, and vitamins, as well as formic acid and chitin, which have not been reported in previous diet studies. Our results showed that the colony consisted of adults (82%), pupae (10%), larvae (7%), and eggs (1%) (fresh mass). Both the total colony and adult ants, respectively, contained high concentrations of crude protein (62.97% and 64.68%), chitin (49.25% and 60.40%), crude fat (10.12% and 9.91%) (dry matter basis), and formic acid (2.06% and 3.07%) (fresh mass). This implies that Chinese pangolin might prefer prey with high protein, high chitin, low fat, and low formic acid content. Colony and adult ants differed in chemical composition in many aspects, thus it might be unsuitable to feed Chinese pangolin with only adult ants. Chitin and formic acid may play important roles in the diet and selectivity of Chinese pangolin. This study provides reference information that may be useful for developing better artificial diets with more comprehensive nutrient compositional data to meet the nutritional requirements of the Chinese pangolin under managed feeding programs. Research highlights: 1)Colony and adult ants differed in chemical composition in many aspects, thus it might be unsuitable to feed Chinese pangolin with only adult ants.2)Chitin and formic acid may play important roles in the diet and selectivity of Chinese pangolin.3)This study provides reference information that may be useful for developing better artificial diets with more comprehensive nutrient compositional data to meet the nutritional requirements of Chinese pangolin under managed feeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid–liquid phase‐separated (LLPS) transcriptional factor assemblies at super‐enhancers (SEs) provide a conceptual framework for underlying transcriptional control in mammal cells. However, the mechanistic understanding of LLPS in aberrant transcription driven by dysregulation of SEs in human malignancies is still elusive. By integrating SE profiling and core regulatory circuitry (CRC) calling algorithm, the CRC of metastatic and chemo‐resistant osteosarcoma is delineated. CRC components, HOXB8 and FOSL1, produce dense and dynamic phase‐separated droplets in vitro and liquid‐like puncta in cell nuclei. Disruption of CRC phase separation decreases the chromatin accessibility in SE regions and inhibits the release of RNA polymerase II from the promoter of SE‐driven genes. Importantly, absence of CRC key component causes a reduction in osteosarcoma tumor growth and metastasis. Moreover, it is shown that CRC condensates can be specifically attenuated by the H3K27 demethylase inhibitor, GSK‐J4. Pharmacological inhibition of the CRC phase separation results in metastasis suppression and re‐sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs in patient‐derived xenograft model. Taken together, this study reveals a previously unknown mechanism that CRC factors formed LLPS condensates, and provides a phase separation‐based pharmacological strategy to target undruggable CRC components for the treatment of metastatic and chemo‐resistant osteosarcoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the development of new treatment protocols for glioblastoma (GBM), temozolomide (TMZ) resistance remains a primary hindrance. Previous studies, including our study, have shown that aberrant N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) modification is implicated in GBM pathobiology. However, the roles and precise mechanisms of m6A modification in the regulation of TMZ resistance in GBM remain unclear. Methods: m6A individual‐nucleotide‐resolution cross‐linking and immunoprecipitation sequencing (miCLIP‐seq) was performed to identify m6A modification of transcripts in TMZ‐resistant and ‐sensitive tumors. To explore the role of METTL3 in TMZ resistance, TMZ‐resistant GBM cells were transfected with METTL3 shRNA or overexpression lentivirus and then assessed by cell viability, tumor sphere formation, and apoptosis assays. An intracranial GBM xenograft model was developed to verify the effect of METTL3 depletion during TMZ treatment in vivo. ATAC‐seq, ChIP‐qPCR, and dual‐luciferase reporter assays were carried out to verify the role of SOX4/EZH2 in the modulation of METTL3 expression upon TMZ treatment. Results: We demonstrated that TMZ treatment upregulated the expression of the m6A methyltransferase METTL3, thereby increasing m6A modification of histone modification‐related gene transcripts. METTL3 is required to maintain the features of GBM stem cells. When combined with TMZ, METTL3 silencing suppressed orthotopic TMZ‐resistant xenograft growth in a cooperative manner. Mechanistically, TMZ induced a SOX4‐mediated increase in chromatin accessibility at the METTL3 locus by promoting H3K27ac levels and recruiting RNA polymerase II. Moreover, METTL3 depletion affected the deposition of m6A on histone modification‐related gene transcripts, such as EZH2, leading to nonsense‐mediated mRNA decay. We revealed an important role of EZH2 in the regulation of METTL3 expression, which was via an H3K27me3 modification‐independent manner. Conclusions: Our findings uncover the fundamental mechanisms underlying the interplay of m6A RNA modification and histone modification in TMZ resistance and emphasize the therapeutic potential of targeting the SOX4/EZH2/METTL3 axis in the treatment of TMZ‐resistant GBM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding reproductive behavior is important for the conservation of endangered species, but research on the reproductive behavior of Sunda pangolins (Manis javanica Desmarest, 1822) is still very scarce. In this study, we used focal animal sampling and all‐occurrence recording by an infrared monitor to observe the behaviors of two Sunda pangolins during a 5‐day breeding period at the Pangolin Research Base for Artificial Rescue and Conservation Breeding of South China Normal University (PRB‐SCNU). The behavioral characteristics and breeding strategies were analyzed, and the results were discussed together with information on other captive Sunda pangolin pairs at PRB‐SCNU. The results found that there was no obvious estrus behavior in the captive female, while the male could exhibit sexual excitement and courtship behavior after a brief introduction period. Repeated copulation continued over many days after the female accepted the courtship. The average duration of copulatory behavior was 248.9 ± 148.7 s (n = 25), and all copulation occurred between 20:00 and 08:00 hr in the natural day–night photoperiod. The mating position of Sunda pangolins was lateral–ventral and was classified as the ninth or eleventh pattern under both Dewsbury's and Dixson's classification systems. This study can provide scientific guidance for the captive breeding and management of Sunda pangolins and other pangolin species, which is of great significance for ex situ conservation tactics. Research Highlights: In this study, there was no obvious estrus behavior in the captive female Sunda pangolin. The female had repeated mating behaviors during an estrus. And the Sunda pangolin mates in the lateral–ventral posture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung cancer is one of the most prevalent and fatal cancer worldwide. The traditional treatments including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy are not satisfactory because of severe side effects and/or relapse. Genetically engineered T‐cell–based immunotherapy for malignant cancer shows promise in recent clinical trials. T‐cell receptor (TCR)‐engineered T cells targeting New York esophageal squamous cell carcinoma 1 (NY‐ESO‐1) have been employed in a number of clinical trials for late stage melanoma, synovial sarcoma, multiple myeloma and other malignancies. Owing to the significant efficacy and controllable side effect, NY‐ESO‐1 has been considered as one of the most ideal TCR‐engineered T cell therapy (TCR‐T) cell target for solid tumors, including nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the incidence of NY‐ESO‐1 expression and its relationship with immunosuppressive microenvironment of NSCLC are largely unclear. In this study, we analyzed the expression of NY‐ESO‐1 and two key immune regulators, Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) and indoleamine‐2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO), in 156 NSCLC specimens by immunohistochemistry. Our results showed that NY‐ESO‐1 positive rate is 28.1% (44/156) and significantly higher in distal metastasis (P = 0.012) and late stage (P = 0.019) NSCLC patients. In addition, we found that NY‐ESO‐1 expression was positively associated with Foxp3 level but not IDO. These findings implied the potential role of NY‐ESO‐1 in tumor immune escape of NSCLC and indicated the requirement to remove Treg cells in TCR‐T cell therapy for NSCLC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sunda pangolin ( Manis javanica Desmarest, 1822) is a Critically Endangered species. Given that this species lacks effective policies for in situ conservation and prevention of poaching in the wild, ex situ conservation and a captive breeding program are urgently needed to save this species from extinction. However, techniques for the maintenance and captive breeding of pangolins have not been well developed. In June 2010, we established the Pangolin Research Base for Artificial Rescue and Conservation Breeding of South China Normal University (PRB-SCNU). To date, a total of 34 Sunda pangolin cubs have been born at PRB-SCNU, 26 of which were captive bred, indicating great progress in keeping and breeding the Sunda pangolin. The techniques for maintenance-including housing, transitioning to an artificial diet, husbandry, and captive breeding-are described in this paper. The purpose of this manuscript is to share our successful experiences and techniques in the maintenance, management, and captive breeding of Sunda pangolins, and to provide guidance and a reference for the captive care and management of Sunda pangolins and other pangolin species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in time-activity patterns may influence personal exposure to various environmental factors and affect individual health. However, few studies have investigated the changes in patterns of time spent outdoors. To investigate the trends in outdoor activity in recent decades in China, a retrospective questionnaire was used to examine the amount and pattern of time spent outdoors during the day by 2076 subjects in four geographically distinct rural regions of China. Rural Chinese people spent less time outdoors than they used to because of the economic development, increase in education and changes in working conditions that occurred over time. Outdoor time was the shortest during the school stage of life (Sanya: 3.24-3.61; Shaoxing: 3.35-3.68; Lhasa: 4.37-4.54; Xiuyan: 2.94-3.26 h per day). Subjects in wealthy regions spent less time outdoors during their working stage of life. In the four regions in this study, the average daily times spent outdoors were 3-13% lower for subjects aged 40-59 years and 20-38% lower for those under 40 years compared to subjects aged 60 years and over. Certain health-related issues, such as vitamin D deficiency, will become more prominent in China if this trend continues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/purpose Changes in skin textures have been used to evaluate skin aging in many studies. In our previous study, we built some skin texture parameters, which can be used to evaluate skin aging of human dorsal hand. However, it will take too much time and need to work arduously to get the information from digital skin image by manual work. So, we want to build a simple and effective method to automatically count some of those skin texture parameters by using digital image-processing technology. Methods A total of 100 subjects aged 30 years and above were involved. Sun exposure history and demographic information were collected by using a questionnaire. The skin image of subjects' dorsal hand was obtained by using a portable skin detector. The number of grids, which is one of skin texture parameters built in our previous study, was measured manually and automatically. Automated image analysis program was developed by using Matlab 7.1 software. Results The number of grids counted automatically ( NGA) was significantly correlated with the number of grids counted manually ( NGM) ( r = 0.9287, P < 0.0001). And in each age group, there were no significant differences between NGA and NGM. The NGA was negatively correlated with age and lifetime sun exposure, and decreased with increasing Beagley-Gibson score from 3 to 6. In addition, even after adjusting for NGA, the standard deviation of grid areas for each image was positively correlated with age, sun exposure, and Bealey-Gibson score. Conclusion The method introduced in present study can be used to measure some skin aging parameters automatically and objectively. And it will save much time, reduce labor, and avoid measurement errors of deferent investigators when evaluating a great deal of skin images in a short time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]