Search

In water‐assisted injection molding processes, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms governing the formation of hollow structures and identify the key factors influencing their morphology and dimensional accuracy. This work combined experimental analysis and numerical simulation to investigate the influence of different mold cavities and main processing parameters on hollow structures in overflow water‐assisted injection molded parts of short‐glass‐fiber‐reinforced polypropylene, that is, hollow shape and hollow ratio. The results show that the hollow shape and hollow ratio depended not only on the cross‐sectional location but also on the cross‐sectional shape of the mold cavity. For the circular parts, the hollow shape resembled the cross‐sectional shape of the mold cavity, with a relatively small and uniform hollow ratio across cross‐sectional locations. For the noncircular parts, the hollow shape varied considerably with increasing distance from the water inlet. Moreover, the results also show that except for the influence of water‐injection delay time on the uniformity of the hollow ratio, higher melt temperature (250°C), shorter water‐injection delay time (0 s), and higher water pressure (10 MPa) contributed to the hollow shape being closer to the cross‐sectional shape of mold cavities and made hollow ratios relatively larger and more uniform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) adhesive is often used in the wood industry because it can be rapidly cured at room temperature to produce a high bonding strength. However, PVAc is a linear polymer susceptible to thermal creep, so it will fail to bond in high temperature and humidity environments. In this study, the hot water resistance of PVAc adhesive is improved by introducing lignin with a complex structure to construct multiple cross‐linked networks with a high cross‐link. However, due to the large steric hindrance, the reactivity of lignin hydroxyl groups is low. In the process of preparing adhesive, alkali lignin is hydroxymethylated to improve its reactivity, and then 4,4′‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate is used as a cross‐linker to construct interpenetrating and semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks. The hydroxymethylation occurs through the reaction of formaldehyde with lignin under alkaline conditions. Optimal reaction conditions include a reaction ratio of 0.20, a reaction temperature of 80°C, and a reaction time of 3.5 h. On those conditions, the bonding strength of the lignin‐based PVAc adhesive reaches 1.8 MPa after hot‐water treatment. Therefore, the lignin‐based hot water‐resistant PVAc adhesive has shown good application potential in high temperature and humidity environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inhomogeneous gradient nanocrystals have better mechanical properties than uniform gradient nanocrystals. The segregation of solute elements in inhomogeneous gradient nanocrystals is expected to induce the re‐enhancement of mechanical properties of alloys. Herein, solute element segregation structures of inhomogeneous gradient structure nanocrystalline NiCo alloy are established, simulating tensile deformation via molecular dynamics. The results show that the segregation of solute elements in the inhomogeneous gradient structure of nanocrystals can improve the mechanical properties of the alloy, especially the structure of the intragranular segregation. The intragranular segregation of solute elements induces the decrease of grain boundary energy and greatly enhances the stability of grain boundaries. In addition, the segregation of solute elements within grains can hinder the dislocation movement to a certain extent, and the hindering effect on dislocation movement of stable grain boundaries induced by intragranular segregation of solute elements further enhances the mechanical properties of nanocrystalline alloys. This strategy of combining heterogeneous gradient structure and solute element segregation structure provides a positive and interesting perspective for the design of advanced alloys with excellent properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cement is known to be brittle and usually reinforced with fibers. However, there is a lack of effective chemical bonding between organic fibers and inorganic cement, resulting in a weaker interfacial bonding strength. In this paper, amino hyperbranched polymer (HBP) was used to modify the surface of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers, and then silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) were grafted on the surface of modified PAN fibers to realize the inorganic treatment of organic fibers. The modified PAN fibers applied to cement concrete can significantly enhance the interfacial strength between the fibers and cement. The morphology and chemical composition of the modified PAN fibers were characterized by scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscope, electron energy dispersive spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the influence of grafting conditions on grafting effect was analyzed. The results show that SiO2 NPs were evenly distributed on the surface of PAN fiber. When SiO2 NPs concentration was 4%, grafting temperature was 50°C, and grafting time was 4 h, the grafting degree of SiO2 NPs grafted PAN fiber can reach to 1.4%. After coating with SiO2 NPs, the pullout bonding strength of the PAN fiber was increased from 5.5 to 6.5 cN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal selenides (MSes) have great potential as candidate anode materials in high‐specific‐energy sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) but are plagued by rapid capacity degradation and slow kinetics. Here, it is reveal that the Bi2Se3 anode discharge process involves multiple‐types of sodium polyselenides (Na‐pSex) which suffer from terrible dissolution and shuttling properties. Based on these observations, a nanoflower‐like composite of dual carbon‐confined Bi2Se3−x crystallites is designed via facile defect chemistry. The robust dual N‐doped carbon layer suppresses the precipitation and aggregation of Bi2Se3, significantly alleviating the dissolution and shuttle effect of Na‐pSex. Theoretical calculations indicate that the pyridine/pyrrole nitrogen sites exhibit strong van der Waals resistance and chemisorption properties against Na2Se4 and Na2Se2. Furthermore, the abundant Se vacancies improve the inherent conductivity of Bi2Se3, reduce the diffusion barrier of Na+, and accelerate the reaction kinetics. Consequently, the resulting Bi2Se3−x@DNC electrode exhibits extraordinary durability (over 2000 cycles at 10.0 A g−1) and high‐rate capability (354.4 mAh g−1 at 75.0 A g−1), propelling the battery performance to new heights. Encouragingly, the assembled hybrid capacitor displays competitive rate performance and an ultra‐long lifespan exceeding 40 000 cycles, making the Bi2Se3−x@DNC electrode a promising candidate for SIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the challenge of cleaving O−O bonds at single Co sites, mononuclear Co complexes typically show poor selectivity for the four‐electron (4e−) oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, we report on selective 4e− ORR catalyzed by a Co porphyrin with a hanged ZnII ion. Inspired by Cu/Zn‐superoxide dismutase, we designed and synthesized 1‐CoZn with a hanging ZnII at the second sphere of a Co porphyrin. Complex 1‐CoZn is much more effective than its Zn‐lacking analogues to catalyze the 4e− ORR in neutral aqueous solutions, giving an electron number of 3.91 per O2 reduction. With spectroscopic studies, the hanging ZnII was demonstrated to be able to facilitate the electron transfer from CoII to O2, through an electronic "pull effect", to give CoIII‐superoxo. Theoretical studies further suggested that this "pull effect" plays crucial roles in assisting O−O bond cleavage. This work is significant to present a new strategy of hanging a ZnII to improve O2 activation and O−O bond cleavage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long noncoding RNAs are key players in the development of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). The present study elucidated the role of LINC01087 in LUAD development. Cell vitality and apoptosis were assessed by the CCK‐8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The transwell assay was adopted to evaluate cell migration and invasion. Levels of m6A modification of LINC01087 were determined using the methylated RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation assay. The interactions among LINC01087, miR‐514a‐3p, and centrosome protein 55 (CEP55) were evaluated using dual‐luciferase reporter, RNA immunoprecipitation, and RNA–RNA pull‐down assays. LINC01087 was highly expressed in LUAD, and its downregulation restrained cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition in vitro as well as tumor growth in a xenograft tumor model. Overexpression of miR‐514a‐3p inhibited malignant phenotypes in LUAD cells by inactivating RhoA/ROCK1 signaling via the suppression of CEP55 expression. Mechanistically, RBM15 increased the expression and mRNA stability of LINC01087 by mediating its m6A modification and LINC01087 induced CEP55 expression by sponging miR‐514a‐3p. RBM15‐induced LINC01087 upregulation accelerated LUAD progression by regulating the miR‐514a‐3p/CEP55/RhoA/ROCK1 axis, illustrating the potential of LINC01087 as a novel target for LUAD therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite solar cells have emerged as a promising technology for renewable energy generation. However, the successful integration of perovskite solar cells with energy storage devices to establish high‐efficiency and long‐term stable photorechargeable systems remains a persistent challenge. Issues such as electrical mismatch and restricted integration levels contribute to elevated internal resistance, leading to suboptimal overall efficiency (ηoverall) within photorechargeable systems. Additionally, the compatibility of perovskite solar cells with electrolytes from energy storage devices poses another significant concern regarding their stability. To address these limitations, we demonstrate a highly integrated photorechargeable system that combines perovskite solar cells with a solid‐state zinc‐ion hybrid capacitor using a streamlined process. Our study employs a novel ultraviolet‐cured ionogel electrolyte to prevent moisture‐induced degradation of the perovskite layer in integrated photorechargeable system, enabling perovskite solar cells to achieve maximum power conversion efficiencies and facilitating the monolithic design of the system with minimal energy loss. By precisely matching voltages between the two modules and leveraging the superior energy storage efficiency, our integrated photorechargeable system achieves a remarkable ηoverall of 10.01% while maintaining excellent cycling stability. This innovative design and the comprehensive investigations of the dynamic photocharging process in monolithic systems, not only offer a reliable and enduring power source but also provide guidelines for future development of self‐power off‐grid electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (C.medinalis) is an agricultural pest with recurrent outbreaks. The investigation into automated pest and disease detection technology holds significant value for in‐field surveys. Current generic detection methods are inadequate due to arbitrary orientations and a wide range of aspect ratios in damage symptoms. To tackle these issues, we put forward a rotated two‐stage detection method for in‐field C.medinalis surveys. This method relies on an anchor‐free rotated region proposal network (AF‐R2PN), bypassing the need for hyper‐parameter optimization induced by predefined anchor boxes. An in‐field C.medinalis dataset is constructed during on‐site pest surveys to validate the effectiveness of our method. RESULTS: The experimental results show that our method can accomplish 80% average precision (AP), surpassing the corresponding horizontal detector by 2.3%. The visualization results of our work showcase its exceptional localization capability over generic detection methods, facilitating inspection by plant protectors. Meanwhile, our proposed method outperforms other state‐of‐the‐art rotated detection algorithms. The AF‐R2PN module can generate superior arbitrary‐oriented proposals even with a decreased number of proposals, balancing inference speed and detection performance among other rotated two‐stage methods. CONCLUSION: The proposed method exhibits superiority in detecting C. medinalis damage under complex field conditions. It provides greater practical applicability during in‐field surveys, enhancing their efficiency and coverage. The findings hold significance for pest and disease monitoring, providing important technical support for agricultural production. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suicide is a serious public health problem and is the fourth leading cause of death among adolescents. Suicide ideation is the most significant predictor of suicide. However, few empirical studies have examined the relationship between stressful life events, insomnia, depression symptoms, self‐esteem, and suicide ideation among college students. This study builds on O'Connor's The integrated motivational‐volitional model of suicidal behavior theory will verify the relationship between these five factors through a large data study among college students, and further reveal the mechanisms and interventions of suicide ideation among college students. A total of 2717 (mean age = 19.81 years, 22.49% male) college students from South China participated in this behavioral and health survey. Using self‐reported questionnaires which were Adolescent Self Rating Life Events Check‐list, MINI‐C, Insomnia Severity Index, PHQ‐9, and Self‐Esteem Scale to assess the subjects' demographic information, suicide ideation, stressful life events, insomnia, depressive symptoms, and self‐esteem levels as comprehensively as possible. A moderated chain mediation model was used to validate their relationship. The results showed that stressful life events significant positively predicted insomnia symptoms, depressive symptoms, and suicide ideation. The mediating effect of depression between stressful life events and suicide ideation was significant. The chain mediating effect of insomnia and depression between stressful life events and suicide ideation was significant. However, the mediating effect of insomnia between stressful life events and suicide ideation was not significant. Also, the positive prediction of stressful life events and depression on suicide ideation was weaker when the individual's self‐esteem level was higher, and the moderated chain mediating effect was significant. This study developed a moderated chain mediation model, and proposes a new integrated stress coping‐self‐perception model of suicide ideation to discover the important role of self‐esteem levels in adolescent suicide prevention. Practitioner Points: Examined the relationship between stressful life events, suicidal ideation, insomnia, depression, and self‐esteem.Data from 2717 (mean age = 19.81 years, 22.49% male) college students were included.Proposed a new integrated stress coping‐self‐perception model of suicide ideation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying the mechanical properties and failure mechanisms of damaged rocks holds practical significance in guiding tunnel or roadway support and assessing the stability of engineering rock masses. To uncover the failure mechanisms of sandy mudstone with varying degrees of damage, we conducted cyclic loading‐unloading tests to create specimens at different damage levels. Subsequently, uniaxial loading tests were performed to investigate the fundamental mechanical properties, wave velocity, and acoustic emission (AE) parameter evolution characteristics of the damaged specimens. The classification of damaged rocks was based on the energy evolution characteristics of damaged sandy mudstone. Finally, we discuss the damage and deterioration mechanisms of different types of sandy mudstone. The findings contribute to establishing a theoretical foundation for evaluating the degree of rock damage. Highlights: The damage degree of rocks was calculated according to the dissipated energy.The response characteristics of AE parameters of damage samples were revealed.The classification of damaged samples is based on the mechanical parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovation is one of the driving forces of economic development and social progress, and the crowdsourcing contest is a well‐established mechanism for encouraging innovation. This paper examines two incentive schemes in two‐stage innovation contests: feedback and elimination. Feedback enhances the efforts by revealing the competitive status, and elimination intensifies the competition by removing less‐qualified participants. We build a game theoretical model to investigate how the organizer should design the feedback and elimination schemes and then analyze the equilibrium efforts and optimal contest design in four‐solver contests. The results suggest that the optimal design depends on the combined effects of the reward, effort sensitivity, and cost coefficiency. Elimination and nonelimination contests can be optimal under different conditions. Furthermore, we extend the equilibrium analysis to competitions with n>4$n>4$ contestants and investigate the optimal design with numerical studies. The most interesting result is that the elimination contest with feedback from the organizer is an ideal option for a budget‐constrained enterprise that seeks an innovative solution from the public for a complex innovation project. Also, the optimal number of contestants in the second stage is not always two when feedback is combined with elimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a series of transition metal‐doped TiO2 was prepared by a simple sol‐solvothermal method. Mix an ethanol solution of tetrabutyl titanate and metal nitrate solution to obtain a homogeneous sol, which is then subjected to solvothermal treatment. After calcination, the metal‐TiO2 naoncomposite was obtained. Selected transition metal precursors, including Cu, Fe, Ag, Cr, Co and Zn, were doped into TiO2 nanocatalysts to assess photocatalytic degradation activities. The results show that 1 mol % Ag−TiO2 photocatalyst has a larger specific surface area, a stable anatase phase and the narrowest forbidden band energy (3.00 eV). In photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) tests, 1 mol % Ag−TiO2 could reach 100 % decolourisation after 70 min and 75.43 % mineralisation after 90 min. ESR analysis confirmed that Ag doping significantly increased the content of ⋅O2− and ⋅OH for the TiO2 catalyst, which are responsible for the oxidation reactions and consequently degradation of pollutants. The photocatalytic degradation mechanism of MO was also proposed. The TOC analyses confirmed the mineralization of MO. The excellent thermal and chemical stability of 1 mol % Ag−TiO2 has also been demonstrated by thermogravimetric analysis and cycling experiments. Electrochemical tests have also demonstrated the excellent electrochemical properties of 1 mol % Ag−TiO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thyroid cancer is the most common type of endocrine cancer, and most patients have a good prognosis. However, the thyroid cancer differentiation status strongly affects patient response to conventional treatment and prognosis. Therefore, exploring the molecular mechanisms that influence the differentiation of thyroid cancer is very important for understanding the progression of this disease and improving therapeutic options. In this study, SETMAR as a key gene that affects thyroid cancer differentiation is identified. SETMAR significantly regulates the proliferation, epithelial‐mesenchymal transformation (EMT), thyroid differentiation‐related gene expression, radioactive iodine uptake, and sensitivity to MAPK inhibitor‐based redifferentiation therapies of thyroid cancer cells. Mechanistically, SETMAR methylates dimethylated H3K36 in the SMARCA2 promoter region to promote SMARCA2 transcription. SMARCA2 can bind to enhancers of the thyroid differentiation transcription factors (TTFs) PAX8, and FOXE1 to promote their expression by enhancing chromatin accessibility. Moreover, METTL3‐mediated m6A methylation of SETAMR mRNA is observed and showed that this medication can affect SETMAR expression in an IGF2BP3‐dependent manner. Finally, the METTL3‐14‐WTAP activator effectively facilitates the redifferentiation of thyroid cancer cells via the SETMAR‐SMARCA2‐TTF axis utilized. The research provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying thyroid cancer dedifferentiation and provides a new approach for therapeutically promoting redifferentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil nitrification, driven by ammonia‐oxidizing archaea (AOA) and ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria (AOB), is a crucial process in maintaining the soil nitrogen (N) balance. However, the influence of AOA and AOB on soil gross nitrification rates (GNR) in response to vegetation restoration remains unclear, particularly in karst regions. In this study, we investigated soil GNR and the abundance, diversity, and community composition of AOA and AOB across after vegetation restoration. Four land use types were examined: plantation forest (PF), forage grass (FG), a combination of plantation forest and forage grass (FG), and cropland (CR, control). Soil ammonium N (NH4+) was higher in the vegetation restoration compared to that in cropland, whereas nitrate N (NO3−) exhibited the opposite trend. Soil GNR were reduced by 55.4%–90.3% in the vegetation restorations compared to that in cropland. The abundance, Chao1, and Shannon index of AOB were lower in vegetation restorations compared to cropland, respectively. The abundance and diversity of AOA were higher than those of AOB but were unaffected by vegetative restoration. Furthermore, AOB community is more sensitive to vegetation restoration than AOA community. Specifically, the abundance of AOB taxa belonging to the genera Nitrosospira and Nitrosovibrio was decreased by the restoration efforts. In addition, soil nutrients availability (e.g., NH4+, NO3−, and phosphorus) and AOB index (e.g., Shannon index) were the main factors driving soil GNR. This study highlights the importance of AOB in driving soil nitrification during vegetation restoration and emphasizes the necessity to optimize soil nitrogen management in karst ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a series of Cu, Ni catalysts were synthesized using mesoporous SiO2 (MCM‐41) and fumed SiO2 as supports for the catalytic hydrogenation of furfural (FF). The MCM‐41 support facilitated the high dispersion of Cu, Ni nanoparticles (NPs), and the hydrogenation products are primarily in the form of alcohols. For fumed SiO2, the proper amounts of acid sites contributed to the better selectivity of 2‐methyltetrahydrofuran(2‐MTHF). Hydrogenation results showed that the 10Cu10Ni/MCM‐41 catalyst afforded a 93.6 % yield of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (THFA), while the 10Cu10Ni/SiO2 catalyst afforded a 61.73 % yield of 2‐MTHF and a 31.63 % yield of THFA. Meanwhile, it is also found that impregnating nickel salt before copper salt is more likely to promote the formation of deep hydrogenation products. Cyclic experiments indicate that developing a one‐step hydrogenation process with selective production of fully hydrogenated products is still a daunting and challenging task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pervasive intrinsic defects have a significant impact on the electrocatalytic activity of carbon materials, but previous research has focused on the effects of topological structures exclusively. Herein, a compelling demonstration of the pivotal role played by the positions and spatial arrangement of intrinsic defects in determining their efficacy for electrochemical CO2 reduction (ECR) is presented. Theoretical calculations reveal a substantial reduction in energy barriers for *COOH formation at intrinsic defects positioned along the edges while hindering the transformation of *COOH to *CO in the ECR process. To address this issue, a sea urchin‐like nanocarbon (F1100) is designed, which provides adjacent intrinsic defects located in V‐type arranged carbon nanorods. The angulated edge intrinsic defects facilitate the bridge adsorption of carbon monoxide (CO), as confirmed by in situ attenuated total reflection surface‐enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy, thereby enhancing the specific activity of ECR on intrinsic carbon defects. In a 0.1 m potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3) solution, F1100 achieves a FECO of 95.0%, while in an ionic liquids‐based electrolyte, a current density of 90.0 mA cm−2 is obtained with nearly complete conversion of CO2 to CO in an H‐type cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The alpine grasslands of the Qiangtang Plateau face significant ecological risks due to extensive human activities, particularly in areas along lakeshores and riverbanks, where overgrazing has caused severe degradation and salinization of the grasslands. Conducting fieldwork in such environments presents significant challenges for long‐term community‐scale landscape ecological research. In this study, the habitat characteristics of dominant plant communities in the alpine basin of Zhari Namco were quantified from three perspectives: topography, hydrology, and fractional vegetation cover. Using Aster GDEM and Landsat imagery, five grassland types were mapped for 2001–2021. Based on the spatial variables of area, shape, and distance, 13 landscape indices were selected to observe spatiotemporal changes. The results revealed several key findings: (1) The patch structure of the zonal vegetation Stipa purpurea steppe has undergone a pattern of dispersion‐aggregation‐dispersion in the past 20 years, yet the core habitat area remains unchanged by more than 52%, indicating fundamental stability in the southern Qiangtang alpine grassland; (2) Using the minimally grazed Kobresia pygmaea meadow as a reference, other communities exhibit stability similar to or approaching it, but with significant differences in aggregation level. The gradual expansion of grazing and economic activities has been a driving factor; and (3) Water conservation projects have diversified the use of water resources in river and lakeside habitats. Stipa purpurea + Carex moorcroftii steppe and Carex swamp meadow exhibit optimal carrying capacity, making them the only areas with relatively high sustainability. The study underscores that the current ecological benefits are a result of effective management. However, without proper management, the region could trend towards landscape fragmentation, becoming the most vulnerable zone in the watershed. Therefore, it is essential to strengthen retrospective analysis of grazing intensity and trend analysis of habitat changes to provide a scientific basis for local economic development and grazing management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An iron(III)‐promoted radical fluoroalkylation of o‐alkenylaryl isocyanides has been developed using readily available perfluoroalkyl iodides as fluoroalkyl source. This cyclization reaction features broad substrate scope and provides a simple and efficient approach for regioselective construction of biologically important 2‐fluoroalkylated quinolines in 38–81 % yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metastasis is a crucial stage in tumour progression, and cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) support metastasis through their participation in extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness. CD248 is a possible biomarker for non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)‐derived CAFs, but its role in mediating ECM stiffness to promote NSCLC metastasis is unknown. We investigated the significance of CD248+ CAFs in activating the Hippo axis and promoting connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression, which affects the stromal collagen I environment and improves ECM stiffness, thereby facilitating NSCLC metastasis. In this study, we found that higher levels of CD248 in CAFs induced the formation of collagen I, which in turn increased extracellular matrix stiffness, thereby enabling NSCLC cell infiltration and migration. Hippo axis activation by CD248+ CAFs induces CTGF expression, which facilitates the formation of the collagen I milieu in the stromal matrix. In a tumour lung metastasis model utilizing fibroblast‐specific CD248 gene knockout mice, CD248 gene knockout mice showed a significantly reduced ability to develop tumour lung metastasis compared to that of WT mice. Our findings demonstrate that CD248+ CAFs activate the Hippo pathway, thereby inducing CTGF expression, which in turn facilitates the collagen I milieu of the stromal matrix, which promotes NSCLC metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new strategy has been developed to combine the nanotwins and dual‐scale particles into copper matrix composites and the comprehensive properties of Cu–1Cr–0.3Zr–1ZrB2 exhibit excellently with the addition of intermediate aging and cryorolling. The effects of different deformation processes on the evolution of microstructure, room temperature, and elevated‐temperature mechanical properties are investigated. The result demonstrates that the number of nanoscale Cr precipitates increases obviously after intermediate aging. The nanosized Cr precipitates impede the movement of grain boundaries and dislocations, resulting in the refinement of deformation bands and the dislocation tangle. The combined effect of intermediate aging and cryorolling also improves the formation of nanotwins, which plays an important role in enhancing the tensile strength of composites. The tensile strength, elongation, and conductivities of the composites subjected to two‐step cryorolling reach 653 MPa, 8.02%, and 79.51% IACS, respectively, showing an optimum comprehensive property. In addition, the stable nanotwins and the uniform distribution of dual‐scale particles inhibit the recrystallization process at elevated temperatures, contributing to improving the mechanical behavior at elevated temperatures and heat‐resistant performance of composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach (HAS) is an extremely rare and unique malignant gastric tumor with a significantly worse prognosis than non‐hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach (non‐HAS). The present study explored the clinicopathological features of HAS and non‐HAS patients to provide insights into HAS treatment strategies. Methods: From December 26, 2023, we performed a comprehensive search of the PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase.com databases for relevant studies. Two authors independently screened the studies, evaluated their quality, extracted data, and performed the analyses. This study was registered with PROSPERO on January 2, 2024. Results: Nine retrospective studies were included for analysis after screening 833 articles. A total of 350 and 924 patients were enrolled in the HAS and non‐HAS groups, respectively. While no significant differences were observed in age, sex, tumor size, T3 or T4 stage, and N2 or N3 stage between the two groups, the HAS group exhibited higher rates of lymph node metastasis (OR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.19–3.13, p = 0.007), liver metastasis (OR = 3.45, 95% CI: 2.26–5.28, p < 0.001), and vascular invasion (OR = 2.76, 95% CI: 2.05–3.71, p < 0.001). Additionally, the HAS group had lower 3‐year survival rates (HR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.70–3.25, p < 0.001) and 5‐year survival rates (HR = 3.63, 95% CI: 1.49–8.88, p = 0.005), but lower rates of lymphatic permeation (OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.47–0.99, p = 0.040). Conclusion: Based on the current clinical evidence, patients with HAS present distinct clinicopathological features, greater invasiveness, and poorer prognosis than non‐HAS patients. Further research is warranted to develop optimal treatment strategies for HAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) poses a significant threat to lung cancer patients, particularly those receiving treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). We aimed to develop and validate a nomogram model for predicting the occurrence of VTE in lung cancer patients undergoing ICI therapy. Methods: The data for this retrospective cohort study was collected from cancer patients admitted to Chongqing University Cancer Hospital for ICI treatment between 2019 and 2022. The research data is divided into training and validation sets using a 7:3 ratio. Univariate and multivariate analyses were employed to identify risk factors for VTE. Based on these analyses, along with clinical expertise, a nomogram model was crafted. The model's predictive accuracy was assessed through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, decision curve analysis, clinical impact curve, and other relevant metrics. Results: The initial univariate analysis pinpointed 13 potential risk factors for VTE. The subsequent stepwise multivariate regression analysis identified age, Karnofsky performance status, chemotherapy, targeted, platelet count, lactate dehydrogenase, monoamine oxidase, D‐dimer, fibrinogen, and white blood cell count as significant predictors of VTE. These 10 variables were the foundation for a predictive model, illustrated by a clear and intuitive nomogram. The model's discriminative ability was demonstrated by the ROC curve, which showed an area under the curve of 0.815 (95% CI 0.772–0.858) for the training set, and 0.753 (95% CI 0.672–0.835) for the validation set. The model's accuracy was further supported by Brier scores of 0.068 and 0.080 for the training and validation sets, respectively, indicating a strong correlation with actual outcomes. Conclusion: We have successfully established and validated a nomogram model for predicting VTE risk in lung cancer patients treated with ICIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Pineapple is the third most crucial tropical fruit worldwide and available in five varieties. Genomes of different pineapple varieties have been released to date; however, none of them are complete, with all exhibiting substantial gaps and representing only two of the five pineapple varieties. This significantly hinders the advancement of pineapple breeding efforts. In this study, we sequenced the genomes of three varieties: a wild pineapple variety, a fiber pineapple variety, and a globally cultivated edible pineapple variety. We constructed the first gap‐free reference genome (Ref) for pineapple. By consolidating multiple sources of evidence and manually revising each gene structure annotation, we identified 26,656 protein‐coding genes. The BUSCO evaluation indicated a completeness of 99.2%, demonstrating the high quality of the gene structure annotations in this genome. Utilizing these resources, we identified 7,209 structural variations across the three varieties. Approximately 30.8% of pineapple genes were located within ±5 kb of structural variations, including 30 genes associated with anthocyanin synthesis. Further analysis and functional experiments demonstrated that the high expression of AcMYB528 aligns with the accumulation of anthocyanins in the leaves, both of which may be affected by a 1.9‐kb insertion fragment. In addition, we developed the Ananas Genome Database, which offers data browsing, retrieval, analysis, and download functions. The construction of this database addresses the lack of pineapple genome resource databases. In summary, we acquired a seamless pineapple reference genome with high‐quality gene structure annotations, providing a solid foundation for pineapple genomics and a valuable reference for pineapple breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Centromere protein A (CENP‐A), a centromere‐specific histone H3 variant, is crucial for kinetochore positioning and chromosome segregation. However, its regulatory mechanism in human cells remains incompletely understood. A structure‐activity relationship (SAR) study of the cell‐cycle‐arresting indole terpenoid mimic JP18 leads to the discovery of two more potent analogs, (+)‐6‐Br‐JP18 and (+)‐6‐Cl‐JP18. Tubulin is identified as a potential cellular target of these halogenated analogs by using the drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) based method. X‐ray crystallography analysis reveals that both molecules bind to the colchicine‐binding site of β‐tubulin. Treatment of human cells with microtubule‐targeting agents (MTAs), including these two compounds, results in CENP‐A accumulation by destabilizing Cdh1, a co‐activator of the anaphase‐promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) E3 ubiquitin ligase. This study establishes a link between microtubule dynamics and CENP‐A accumulation using small‐molecule tools and highlights the role of Cdh1 in CENP‐A proteolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The transcription factor GATA2 has a pivotal role in haematopoiesis. Heterozygous germline GATA2 mutations result in a syndrome characterized by immunodeficiency, bone marrow failure and predispositions to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukaemia. Clinical symptoms in these patients are diverse and mechanisms driving GATA2‐related phenotypes are largely unknown. To explore the impact of GATA2 haploinsufficiency on haematopoiesis, we generated a zebrafish model carrying a heterozygous mutation of gata2b (gata2b+/−), an orthologue of GATA2. Morphological analysis revealed myeloid and erythroid dysplasia in gata2b+/− kidney marrow. Because Gata2b could affect both transcription and chromatin accessibility during lineage differentiation, this was assessed by single‐cell (sc) RNA‐seq and single‐nucleus (sn) ATAC‐seq. Sn‐ATAC‐seq showed that the co‐accessibility between the transcription start site (TSS) and a −3.5–4.1 kb putative enhancer was more robust in gata2b+/− zebrafish HSPCs compared to wild type, increasing gata2b expression and resulting in higher genome‐wide Gata2b motif use in HSPCs. As a result of increased accessibility of the gata2b locus, gata2b+/− chromatin was also more accessible during lineage differentiation. scRNA‐seq data revealed myeloid differentiation defects, that is, impaired cell cycle progression, reduced expression of cebpa and cebpb and increased signatures of ribosome biogenesis. These data also revealed a differentiation delay in erythroid progenitors, aberrant proliferative signatures and down‐regulation of Gata1a, a master regulator of erythropoiesis, which worsened with age. These findings suggest that cell‐intrinsic compensatory mechanisms, needed to obtain normal levels of Gata2b in heterozygous HSPCs to maintain their integrity, result in aberrant lineage differentiation, thereby representing a critical step in the predisposition to MDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A trade‐off between growth and defence against biotic stresses is common in plants. Fungal endophytes of the genus Epichloë may relieve this trade‐off in their host grasses since they can simultaneously induce plant growth and produce antiherbivore alkaloids that circumvent the need for host defence. The Epichloë ability to decouple the growth‐defence trade‐off was evaluated by subjecting ryegrass with and without Epichloë endophytes to an exogenous treatment with gibberellin (GA) followed by a challenge with Rhopalosiphum padi aphids. In agreement with the endophyte‐mediated trade‐off decoupling hypothesis, the GA‐derived promotion of plant growth increased the susceptibility to aphids in endophyte‐free plants but did not affect the insect resistance in endophyte‐symbiotic plants. In line with the unaltered insect resistance, the GA treatment did not reduce the concentration of Epichloë‐derived alkaloids. The Epichloë mycelial biomass was transiently increased by the GA treatment but at the expense of hyphal integrity. The response of the phyllosphere bacterial microbiota to both GA treatment and Epichloë was also evaluated. Only Epichloë, and not the GA treatment, altered the composition of the phyllosphere microbiota and the abundance of certain bacterial taxa. Our findings clearly demonstrate that Epichloë does indeed relieve the plant growth‐defence trade‐off. Summary statement: A debate has been raised if fungal endophytes can relieve the plant growth‐defence trade‐off. Epichloë endophytes decoupled the trade‐off: the growth‐mediated penalisation of plant defences was observed in E− but not in E+ plants. The Epichloë production of alkaloids was likely the decoupling mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/Introduction: Our aim was to investigate the optimal fasting glucose (FPG) range in Chinese older adults with type 2 diabetes, and to clarify whether the optimal range varies according to the control of risk factors. Materials and Methods: The baseline survey for the cohort study began in 2018, with follow up ending in 2022. Our study enrolled 59,030 older diabetes patients with no history of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Participants were divided into nine groups based on their baseline glycemic status. The association between FPG and the risk of adverse outcomes was mainly estimated by multivariate Cox proportional risk models and restricted spline analysis. Results: During the 4‐year follow‐up period, a total of 5,637 deaths and 4,904 CVD events occurred. The associations of FPG with mortality and CVD events showed J‐shaped curves. Among all‐cause deaths, the hazard ratios for FPG ≤4.50 and >11.50 mmol/L were 1.50 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.31–1.71) and 1.84 (95% CI 1.67–2.02). Among CVD, the hazard ratios for FPG ≤4.50 and >11.50 mmol/L were 1.31 (95% CI 1.13–1.53) and 1.71 (95% CI 1.54–1.89), respectively. The optimal FPG ranges of all‐cause mortality and CVD were 5.50–7.50 and 4.50–7.50 mmol/L, respectively. For participants with at least two risk factors, the optimal FPG levels were higher than those with fewer risk factors. Conclusions: In older Chinese diabetes patients, the FPG ranges related to the minimum death and CVD event rates were 5.50–7.50 and 4.50–7.50 mmol/L, respectively. Patients with more cardiovascular risk factors had higher optimal blood glucose ranges than those with fewer risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eltrombopag was approved as a first‐line treatment for patients older than 2 years old with severe aplastic anemia (SAA). However, data on eltrombopag in children with different types of aplastic anemia (AA), especially non‐severe AA (NSAA), are limited. We performed a prospective, single‐arm, and observational study to investigate eltrombopag's efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics in children with NSAA, SAA, and very severe AA (VSAA). The efficacy and safety were assessed every 3 months. The population pharmacokinetic (PPK) model was used to depict the pharmacokinetic profile of eltrombopag. Twenty‐three AA children with an average age of 7.9 (range of 3.0‐14.0) years were enrolled. The response (complete and partial response) rate was 12.5%, 50.0%, and 100.0% after 3, 6, and 12 months in patients with NSAA. For patients with SAA and VSAA, these response rates were 46.7%, 61.5%, and 87.5%. Hepatotoxicity occurred in one patient. Fifty‐three blood samples were used to build the PPK model. Body weight was the only covariate for apparent clearance (CL/F) and volume of distribution. The allele‐T carrier of adenosine triphosphate‐binding cassette transporter G2 was found to increase eltrombopag's clearance. However, when normalized by weight, the clearance between the wild‐type and variant showed no statistical difference. In patients with response, children with NSAA exhibited lower area under the curve from time zero to infinity, higher CL/F, and higher weight‐adjusted CL/F than those with SAA or VSAA. However, the differences were not statistically significant. The results may support further individualized treatment of eltrombopag in children with AA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, we study certain characteristics of the solution for an equation involving uniformly elliptic nonlocal operator by establishing various maximum principles in bounded and unbounded regions. Additionally, we don't need the conditions that the narrow region principle's bound assumption and decay in the unbounded domain. In order to get the monotonicity of the solution, we use several maximum principles and averaging effects to overcome the challenges that generated by the uniformly elliptic nonlocal operator and fractional‐order variable t$$ t $$. Of course, while investigating the qualitative characteristics of the equation, we also provide some estimates of auxiliary function. For the study of additional nonlocal operators, we believe the method of uniformly elliptic nonlocal operators will also be helpful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study published in the Journal of Integrative Plant Biology explores the potential for fortifying foxtail millet with bioactive folates. The researchers found that by knocking out two genes, SiGFT1 and SiGFT2, in foxtail millet, the accumulation of bioactive folates increased significantly while levels of the bioinactive oxidation product MeFox decreased. This research provides a promising method for biofortifying cereal crops with folates, which are essential micronutrients for human health. The study suggests that consuming folate-fortified cereals could be particularly beneficial for pregnant women and the elderly in regions where dietary diversification is challenging. [Extracted from the article]

SUMMARY: Ghost introgression, or the transfer of genetic material from extinct or unsampled lineages to sampled species, has attracted much attention. However, conclusive evidence for ghost introgression, especially in plant species, remains scarce. Here, we newly assembled chromosome‐level genomes for both Carya sinensis and Carya cathayensis, and additionally re‐sequenced the whole genomes of 43 C. sinensis individuals as well as 11 individuals representing 11 diploid hickory species. These genomic datasets were used to investigate the reticulation and bifurcation patterns within the genus Carya (Juglandaceae), with a particular focus on the beaked hickory C. sinensis. By combining the D‐statistic and BPP methods, we obtained compelling evidence that supports the occurrence of ghost introgression in C. sinensis from an extinct ancestral hickory lineage. This conclusion was reinforced through the phylogenetic network analysis and a genome scan method VolcanoFinder, the latter of which can detect signatures of adaptive introgression from unknown donors. Our results not only dispel certain misconceptions about the phylogenetic history of C. sinensis but also further refine our understanding of Carya's biogeography via divergence estimates. Moreover, the successful integration of the D‐statistic and BPP methods demonstrates their efficacy in facilitating a more precise identification of introgression types. Significance Statement: Hybridization and introgression are widely recognized as significant factors in plant evolution, but the possibility of carrying ancient traits from ancestors that are now extinct (i.e., ghost introgression) has been mostly overlooked in plants. In this study, we employed whole‐genome sequencing datasets using a new combined method to spot this for the first time in hickory trees and anticipate more ghost introgression events to be discovered following this methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The association between serum copper and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) lacks definitive conclusions, and the intricate interactions with in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle characteristics in infertility remain insufficiently explored. This retrospective study included 560 patients with tubal infertility (no‐PCOS) and 266 patients with PCOS undergoing IVF at the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2018 to December 2022. Patients' basic characteristics, hormonal and metabolic parameters, essential trace elements, and IVF cycle characteristics were measured and analyzed. The results revealed a significantly elevated serum copper level in the PCOS group compared to the control group [17.27 (15.54, 19.67) vs 15.4 (13.87, 17.35), μmol/L; p <.001]. Spearman correlation analyses revealed a significant positive correlation between serum copper concentration and body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose (FG), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) in the no‐PCOS group. Additionally, a notable negative correlation with high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) was observed (r = −.184, p <.001). Within the PCOS group, serum copper concentration correlated significantly with BMI (r =.198, p =.004) and TG (r =.214, p =.002). The linear trend analysis indicated no significant relationship between serum copper concentration and ovarian response as well as preimplantation outcomes in both groups after adjusting for confounding factors. Our study provided evidence of elevated serum copper concentration in PCOS patients, closely associated with lipid metabolism but showing no correlation with IVF outcomes. These findings provide valuable real‐world data, enriching our nuanced understanding of the role of copper in female fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Extrachromosomal circular DNAs (eccDNAs), a type of double‐stranded DNAs (dsDNAs) that facilitate the activation of the DNA sensing machinery, have been implicated in the progression and prognosis of various diseases. While the roles of eccDNAs remain contentious, their significance in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has not been reported. Methods: Circular DNA sequencing (circle‐seq) was used to demonstrate the expression profile of eccDNAs in DLBCL, and atomic force microscopy to validate the presence of eccDNAs. CCK‐8 and scRNA‐seq techniques were employed to uncover the activation of eccDNA in the STING pathway, leading to enhanced cell proliferation. Chemotherapeutic drugs were used to test the hypothesis that DNA damage induces the production of eccDNA, thereby activating the STING pathway independent of cGAS. GEO databases were used for verification of the prognosis of the eccDNA‐related genes, and animal models were used to investigate the synergistic effects of DNA damage therapy in combination with STING inhibitors on anti‐tumour responses. Results: EccDNAs were widely expressed in DLBCL and associated with the prognosis of patients. Elevated abundance of eccDNAs promoted the progression of DLBCL. Chemotherapeutic drugs‐induced DNA damage triggered the generation of eccDNAs, resulting in the activation of the STING signalling in a cGAS‐independent manner. Moreover, inhibition of STING exerted a synergistic anti‐tumour effect with cisplatin. Conclusions: EccDNAs induced by DNA damage exert an oncogenic role in DLBCL via activating the STING signalling independently of cGAS. This finding offers a rational therapeutic strategy combining chemotherapy with targeting STING. Highlights: EccDNAs induced by DNA damage exert an oncogenic role in DLBCL via activating the STING signalling independently of cGAS.The combined treatment of chemotherapeutic drugs with STING inhibitor significantly delayed the tumor progression, providing new insights into the therapeutic strategy for patients with DLBCL, particularly the relapsed and/or refractory (R/R) ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: To investigate the role of a novel type of protein kinase C delta (PKCδ) in the neuroinflammation of Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: We analyzed PKCδ and inflammatory cytokines levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of AD and normal controls, as well as their correlations. The cellular expression pattern of PKCδ and the effects of PKCδ modulation on microglia‐mediated neuroinflammation were evaluated by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR), western blot, RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq), and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: PKCδ levels were increased dramatically in the CSF of AD patients and positively correlated with cytokines. PKCδ is expressed mainly in microglia in the brain. Amyloid beta (Aβ) stimulation increased PKCδ expression and secretion, which led to upregulation of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) pathway and overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines. Downregulation or inhibition of PKCδ attenuated Aβ‐induced microglial responses and improved cognitive function in an AD mouse model. DISCUSSION: Our study identifies PKCδ as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for microglia‐mediated neuroinflammation in AD. Highlights: Protein kinase C delta (PKCδ) levels increase in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and positively correlate with elevated inflammatory cytokines in human subjects.PKCδ is expressed mainly in microglia in vivo, whereas amyloid beta (Aβ) stimulation increases PKCδ expression and secretion, causing upregulation of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) pathway and production of inflammatory cytokines.Downregulation or inhibition of PKCδ attenuates Aβ‐enhanced NF‐κB signaling and cytokine production in microglia and improves cognitive function in AD mice.PKCδ serves as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for microglia‐mediated neuroinflammation in AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study elucidates the determining role of initial recrystallization degree on grain growth tendency during the brazing process (heat treated at 1100 °C and held for 15 min) of high‐Nb 444‐type ferritic stainless steel used in automotive exhaust systems. The incomplete recrystallized grains induced by insufficient annealing of cold rolled stainless steel plate are more likely to promote abnormal grain growth in the actual brazing process. The simulation experiment results of grain growth tendency show that a matrix with 3.7% deformed grains and nonuniform grain size causes abnormal grain growth during reheating, and the starting temperature of grain coarsening decreases from 1100 to 1000 °C. During reheating, the deformed grains induces a rapid precipitation of Nb‐rich particles at low temperature, and the volume fraction is higher than that of the sample with more completed recrystallization. In addition, the study also finds that an increase in Nb content can increase the precipitation temperature of Laves phase, induce the formation of Laves phase distributed along ferrite grain boundaries in high‐Nb sample during brazing, and inhibit the coarsening of ferrite grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This work elucidated the effect of honokiol (HKL) on hippocampal neuronal mitochondrial function in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods: APP/PS1 mice were used as AD mice models and exposed to HKL and 3‐TYP. Morris water maze experiment was performed to appraise cognitive performance of mice. Hippocampal Aβ+ plaque deposition and neuronal survival was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and Nissl staining. Hippocampal neurons were dissociated from C57BL/6 mouse embryos. Hippocampal neuronal AD model was constructed by Aβ oligomers induction and treated with HKL, CsA and 3‐TYP. Neuronal viability and apoptosis were detected by cell counting kit‐8 assay and TUNEL staining. mRFP–eGFP–LC3 assay, MitoSOX Red, dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, and JC‐1 staining were performed to monitor neuronal autophagosomes, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), neuronal ROS, and mitochondrial membrane potential. Autophagy‐related proteins were detected by Western blot. Results: In AD mice, HKL improved cognitive function, relieved hippocampal Aβ1–42 plaque deposition, promoted hippocampal neuron survival, and activated hippocampal SIRT3 expression and mitochondrial autophagy. These effects of HKL on AD mice were abolished by 3‐TYP treatment. In hippocampal neuronal AD model, HKL increased neuronal activity, attenuated neuronal apoptosis and Aβ aggregation, activated SIRT3 and mitochondrial autophagy, reduced mitochondrial and neuronal ROS, and elevated mitochondrial membrane potential. CsA treatment and 3‐TYP treatment abrogated the protection of HKL on hippocampal neuronal AD model. The promotion of mitochondrial autophagy by HKL in hippocampal neuronal AD model was counteracted by 3‐TYP. Conclusions: HKL activates SIRT3‐mediated mitochondrial autophagy to mitigate hippocampal neuronal damage in AD. HKL may be effective in treating AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gene therapy has been adapted for improving malignant tumor treatment. However, pharmacotherapies targeting cancer remain limited and are generally inapplicable for rare disease patients. Oleanolic acid (OA) is a plant‐derived triterpenoid that is frequently used in Chinese medicine as a safe but slow‐acting treatment for many disorders. Here, the congruent pharmacological activities of OA and CRISPR‐dCas9 in targeting AURKA or KDM1A and improving disease‐specific prognosis and used a synthetic‐biology‐inspired design principle to engineer a therapeutic gene circuit that enables a concerted action of both drugs are utilized. In particular, the OA‐triggered CRISPR‐dCas9 transcriptional repression system rapidly and simultaneously attenuated lung and thyroid cancer. Collectively, this work shows that rationally engineered synthetic gene circuits are capable of treating multifactorial diseases in a synergistic manner by multiplexing the targeting efficiencies of single therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental sustainability is increasingly being prioritized by governments around the world, particularly in emerging economies. This study examined the role of green finance and green technological innovation in environmental sustainability using the "load capacity factor", also takes into account natural resource depletion and forest cover. This study used annual data from 2000 to 2018 for emerging economies: Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Turkey and Mexico. Methods of analysis included the cross‐section augmented autoregressive distributed lags (CS‐ARDL) model, along with validation by the common correlated mean group (CCEMG) and augmented mean group (AMG). The results show that green finance, green technological innovation and forested areas consistently have a positive impact on environmental sustainability, while resource depletion has a negative impact. The findings of CS‐ARDL are consistent with those of CCEMG and AMG. The study also makes recommendations that emerging economies need to prioritize REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) initiatives and implement resource decoupling policies, in addition to green finance and green technology policies, to achieve environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Conservation Biology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The semi‐underground double‐storey squat silo (SUDSSS) is a new type of silo with the advantages of preserving grain quality. In this paper, a numerical model of SUDSSS was constructed using solid elements. The proposed numerical model was validated by test results of an experimental underground silo, and the results demonstrated that: (1) Before and after backfilling, the radial and circumferential stress of the underground storey reached their maximum at 2/3 from the bottom and 2/3 from the ground surface, respectively; (2) As the height of grain storage increases, the silo wall stress in the overground storey increases. From the top of the underground storey up to 1/4 height of the overground storey, the stress of silo wall increases. (3) For the underground storey, the maximum stress occurs at 1/3 of the way from the apex of bottom cone. Practical applications: The semi‐underground double‐storey squat silo is a new grain storage device proposed by this paper, which consists of two layers. The lower layer is located in the ground and can utilize the shallow ground temperature to realize the green and low‐temperature storage of grain, the upper layer is conducive to the turnover of grain, which can ensure the quality of grain storage. The new silo has the advantages of saving land, energy saving and carbon reduction. Based on the silo, this paper investigates the stress–strain properties of the silo before and after soil backfilling during the construction stage, and obtains the change pattern of the static mechanical properties of the silo. This paper analyses the mechanical properties of semi‐underground double‐storey squat silo under different storage conditions at the grain storage stage, and studies the change patterns of the mechanical properties of the silo body under different storage heights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acquired bronchobiliary fistula (ABBF) is very rare among the complications that occur in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after treatment. Although surgery and drainage have been the main methods for treating ABBF for a long time, they are not entirely suitable for patients with refractory ABBF resulting from HCC therapy. In this study, we present four cases of ABBF caused by HCC treatment, who were treated using selective bronchial occlusion (SBO). Among the 4 patients with ABBF treated with SBO, 3 cases successfully blocked ABBF with SBO, and the treatment success rate was 75%. All successfully treated patients reported disappearance of symptoms of bilioptysis and cough was alleviated. No life‐threatening adverse reactions were reported following SBO intervention, and no deaths occurred. We believe that the use of video bronchoscopy to place a self‐made silicone plug in the bronchus to treat refractory ABBF is a feasible palliative treatment, which can significantly improve the condition of ABBF patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of flowers in soybean (Glycine max) is essential for determining the yield potential of the plant. Gene silencing pathways are involved in modulating flower development, but their full elucidation is still incomplete. Here, we conducted a forward genetic screen and identified an abnormal flower mutant, deformed floral bud1‐1 (Gmdfb1‐1), in soybean. We mapped and identified the causal gene, which encodes a member of the armadillo (ARM)‐repeat superfamily. Using small RNA sequencing (sRNA‐seq), we found an abnormal accumulation of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and microRNA (miRNAs) in the Gmdfb1 mutants. We further demonstrated that GmDFB1 interacts with the RNA exosome cofactor SUPER KILLER7 (GmSKI7). Additionally, GmDFB1 interacts with the PIWI domain of ARGONAUTE 1 (GmAGO1) to inhibit the cleavage efficiency on the target genes of sRNAs. The enhanced gene silencing mediated by siRNA and miRNA in the Gmdfb1 mutants leads to the downregulation of their target genes associated with flower development. This study revealed the crucial role of GmDFB1 in regulating floral organ identity in soybean probably by participating in two distinct gene silencing pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Liver lesions mainly occur inside the liver parenchyma, which are difficult to locate and have complicated relationships with essential vessels. Thus, preoperative planning is crucial for the resection of liver lesions. Accurate segmentation of the hepatic and portal veins (PVs) on computed tomography (CT) images is of great importance for preoperative planning. However, manually labeling the mask of vessels is laborious and time‐consuming, and the labeling results of different clinicians are prone to inconsistencies. Hence, developing an automatic segmentation algorithm for hepatic and PVs on CT images has attracted the attention of researchers. Unfortunately, existing deep learning based automatic segmentation methods are prone to misclassifying peripheral vessels into wrong categories. Purpose: This study aims to provide a fully automatic and robust semantic segmentation algorithm for hepatic and PVs, guiding subsequent preoperative planning. In addition, to address the deficiency of the public dataset for hepatic and PV segmentation, we revise the annotations of the Medical Segmentation Decathlon (MSD) hepatic vessel segmentation dataset and add the masks of the hepatic veins (HVs) and PVs. Methods: We proposed a structure with a dual‐stream encoder combining convolution and Transformer block, named Dual‐stream Hepatic Portal Vein segmentation Network, to extract local features and long‐distance spatial information, thereby extracting anatomical information of hepatic and portal vein, avoiding misdivisions of adjacent peripheral vessels. Besides, a multi‐scale feature fusion block based on dilated convolution is proposed to extract multi‐scale features on expanded perception fields for local features, and a multi‐level fusing attention module is introduced for efficient context information extraction. Paired t‐test is conducted to evaluate the significant difference in dice between the proposed methods and the comparing methods. Results: Two datasets are constructed from the original MSD dataset. For each dataset, 50 cases are randomly selected for model evaluation in the scheme of 5‐fold cross‐validation. The results show that our method outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art Convolutional Neural Network‐based and transformer‐based methods. Specifically, for the first dataset, our model reaches 0.815, 0.830, and 0.807 at overall dice, precision, and sensitivity. The dice of the hepatic and PVs are 0.835 and 0.796, which also exceed the numeric result of the comparing methods. Almost all the p‐values of paired t‐tests on the proposed approach and comparing approaches are smaller than 0.05. On the second dataset, the proposed algorithm achieves 0.749, 0.762, 0.726, 0.835, and 0.796 for overall dice, precision, sensitivity, dice for HV, and dice for PV, among which the first four numeric results exceed comparing methods. Conclusions: The proposed method is effective in solving the problem of misclassifying interlaced peripheral veins for the HV and PV segmentation task and outperforming the comparing methods on the relabeled dataset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical reduction of CO2 to syngas (CO and H2) offers an efficient way to mitigate carbon emissions and store intermittent renewable energy in chemicals. Herein, the hierarchical one‐dimensional/three‐dimensional nitrogen‐doped porous carbon (1D/3D NPC) is prepared by carbonizing the composite of Zn‐MOF‐74 crystals in situ grown on a commercial melamine sponge (MS), for electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). The 1D/3D NPC exhibits a high CO/H2 ratio (5.06) and CO yield (31 mmol g−1 h−1) at −0.55 V, which are 13.7 times and 21.4 times those of 1D porous carbon (derived from Zn‐MOF‐74) and N‐doped carbon (carbonized by MS), respectively. This is attributed to the unique spatial environment of 1D/3D NPC, which increases the adsorption capacity of CO2 and promotes electron transfer from the 3D N‐doped carbon framework to 1D carbon, improving the reaction kinetics of CO2RR. Experimental results and charge density difference plots indicate that the active site of CO2RR is the positively charged carbon atom adjacent to graphitic N on 1D carbon and the active site of HER is the pyridinic N on 1D carbon. The presence of pyridinic N and pyrrolic N reduces the number of electron transfer, decreasing the reaction kinetics and the activity of CO2RR. The CO/H2 ratio is related to the distribution of N species and the specific surface area, which are determined by the degree of spatial confinement effect. The CO/H2 ratios can be regulated by adjusting the carbonization temperature to adjust the degree of spatial confinement effect. Given the low cost of feedstock and easy strategy, 1D/3D NPC catalysts have great potential for industrial application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]