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Abstract Cubebin, a dibenzyl butyrolactone lignan belonging to several distinct families, including Aristolochiaceae, Myristicaceae, Piperaceae, and Rutaceae, and possesses several pharmacological activities, including analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and vasodilatory. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of cubebin on streptozotocin (STZ)-evoked diabetic nephropathy (DN). DN is a well-identified complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) characterized by renal hypertrophy that progressively declines kidney function. Wistar rats were randomly divided into groups- normal, STZ control (65 mg/kg/body weight), and STZ + cubebin (10 and 20 mg/kg). Biochemical parameters such as glucose levels, kidney parameters, lipid profile, oxidative stress, endogenous antioxidant markers, inflammatory cytokines and histopathology were performed. Molecular docking [(PDB ID: TNF-α (7JRA), NF-κB (1SVC), TGF-β1 (3TZM)] and dynamic simulation (MDS) were also performed with the selected target. STZ-induced DN was changes in these parameters. In contrast, DN + cubebin at 10 and 20 mg/kg doses improved the biochemical parameters and histological changes. Furthermore, molecular docking and simulation studies showed a binding affinity with negative binding energy with TNF-α (7jra, − 11.342 kcal/mol), TGF-β1 (3tzm, − 9.162 kcal/mol) and NF-κB (1svc, − 6.665 kcal/mol). The results of MDS provided insight into the mechanisms that associate proteins TNF-α, NF-κB, and TGF-β1 in conformational dynamics upon binding to cubebin. In conclusion, these findings exhibit a potential effect of cubebin in STZ-evoked DN rats.

Abstract Since agriculture is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, accurately calculating these emissions is essential for simultaneously addressing climate change and food security challenges. This paper explores the critical role of trade in transferring agricultural greenhouse gas (AGHG) emissions throughout global agricultural supply chains. We develop a detailed AGHG emission inventory with comprehensive coverage across a wide range of countries and emission sources at first. Utilizing this inventory, the multi-regional input-output analysis is integrated with the complex network analysis to specifically reveal the characteristics of global AGHG flow networks. Finally, scenario analyses reflecting current trends and policy changes in global agriculture are conducted to investigate the emission reduction potential of different networks. The results show that the community division and characteristics of different AGHG networks vary, with more communities in the rice-CH4 and livestock-CH4, N2O networks, and fewer in the cropland-N2O network. Production-side technology improvements (reducing direct carbon emission intensities) and consumption-side livestock products substitution can contribute to the reduction of global AGHG emissions. At the same time, these impacts may propagate to other countries through AGHG networks. In contrast, localization substitution has minimal impact on AGHG emissions and may even result in slight negative effects. It is suggested that enhancing cooperation between countries from a network perspective, such as strengthening the transfer of advanced production technologies within communities, could help reconceptualize global agricultural decarbonization.

Abstract While circular RNAs (circRNAs) exhibit lower abundance compared to corresponding linear RNAs, they demonstrate potent biological functions. Nevertheless, challenges arise from the low concentration and distinctive structural features of circRNAs, rendering existing methods operationally intricate and less sensitive. Here, we engineer an intelligent tetrahedral DNA framework (TDF) possessing precise spatial pattern-recognition properties with exceptional sensing speed and sensitivity for circRNAs. The signal output of TDF sensor occurs only when multivalent spatial pattern-recognition of a circRNA in unamplified samples. Using this sensor, we visualize the real-time response of endogenous circRNA expression in vitro neuronal cells and in vivo brain between pre-stroke and post-stroke male mice, identify the patients with acute ischemic stroke in clinical samples, as well as track the delivery of circRNA in photochromic stroked animal model. Thus, the TDF sensor provides a fast and sensitive tool for the detection of circRNA abundance in both physiological and pathophysiological conditions.

Abstract The field of green synthesis, namely using plant extracts for the production of metal nanoparticles, is rapidly gaining traction. Therefore, this study investigated the process of producing zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using a water-based extract derived from the stem bark of Calophyllum teysmannii. Notably, this is the first documented utilization of this particular plant source. The presence of a distinct Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) absorption peak at 372 nm provided evidence for the creation of ZnO nanoparticles. The X-ray Diffractometer (XRD) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) investigations indicated that the nanoparticles exhibited sizes ranging from 31.5 to 59.9 nm and had spherical morphologies. Energy Dispersive X-ray Diffractometer (EDX) analysis verified the elemental composition of the ZnO nanoparticles, whereas the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra showed clear peaks, demonstrating their production. The FTIR examination of the C. teysmannii extract revealed peaks at around 3370 cm− 1, indicating the presence of phenolic compounds. These chemicals are likely responsible for the reduction and stabilization of the ZnO NPs. The high-resolution X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) spectra clearly revealed separate peaks corresponding to Zn 2p and O 1s, providing confirmation of the chemical states and bonding contexts. The Raman Spectroscopy analysis revealed a distinct peak at around 425 cm⁻¹, confirming the presence of the wurtzite structure. The harmful effects of ZnO nanoparticles on HCC2998 (a kind of human colon cancer) and Vero (a type of monkey kidney epithelial) cells were evaluated using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA), and boron-Dipyrromethene (BODIPY) assays. The cancer cells underwent cell death due to oxidative stress in a dose-dependent manner, as confirmed by microscopic and flow cytometry investigations.

Abstract Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP), with a high prevalence and rising epidemic of opioids crisis, is typically derived from acute postoperative pain. Our knowledge on the forming of chronic pain mostly derives from mechanistic studies of pain processing in the brain and spinal cord circuits, yet most pharmacological interventions targeting CNS came to be unhelpful in preventing CPSP. Revealing the peripheral mechanisms behind the transition from acute to chronic pain after surgery could shine a light on the novel analgesic regimens. Based on two recognized animal models in simulation of acute and chronic postsurgical pain, we provide a next-generation RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data set to evaluate the time-course transcriptomic variation in the tissue of skin, muscle and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in these two pain models. The aim of this study is to identify the potential origin and mechanism of the persistent postoperative pain, and further to explore effective and safer analgesic regimens for surgical patients.

Abstract This study aimed to preliminarily develop machine learning (ML) models capable of predicting the risk of device-associated infection and 30-day outcomes following invasive device procedures in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The study utilized data from 8574 ICU patients who underwent invasive procedures, sourced from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC)-IV version 2.2 database. Patients were allocated into training and validation datasets in a 7:3 ratio. Seven ML models were employed for predicting device-associated infections, while five models were used for predicting 30-day survival outcomes. Model performance was primarily evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for infection prediction and the survival model’s concordance index (C-index). Top-performing models progressively reduced the number of variables based on their importance, thereby optimizing practical utility. The inclusion of all variables demonstrated that extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) and extra survival trees (EST) models yielded superior discriminatory performance. Notably, when restricted to the top 10 variables, both models maintained performance levels comparable to when all variables were included. In the validation cohort, the XGBoost model, with the top 10 variables, achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.810 (95% CI 0.808–0.812), an area under the precision-recall curve (AUPRC) of 0.226 (95% CI 0.222–0.230), and a Brier score (BS) of 0.053 (95% CI 0.053–0.054). The EST model, with the top 10 variables, reported a C-index of 0.756 (95% CI 0.754–0.757), a time-dependent AUC of 0.759 (95% CI 0.763–0.775), and an integrated Brier score (IBS) of 0.087 (95% CI 0.087–0.087). Both models are accessible via a web application. The internally evaluated XGBoost and EST models demonstrated exceptional predictive accuracy for device-associated infection risks and 30-day survival outcomes post-invasive procedures in ICU patients. Further validation is required to confirm the clinical utility of these two models in future studies.

Abstract By employing a synergistic blend of experimental and theoretical methodologies, we investigated the corrosion inhibition efficacy of a synthesized pyrazole derivative (BM-01) in a solution of hydrochloric acid (1 M). We utilized molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), density functional theory (DFT), complexation, plus electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). We conducted weight loss (WL) measurements from 298 to 328 K. Inhibition efficacy reached a maximum at a BM-01 concentration of 10−3 M, achieving 90.0% (EIS), 90.40% (WL), and 90.38% (potentiodynamic polarization (PDP)). SEM unveiled the shielding of the carbon-steel surface from acid-induced damage by BM-01. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm exhibited a robust fit with a low sum of squares, standard deviation, and a high correlation coefficient. PDP findings indicated that BM-01 acted as a mixed-type inhibitor, predominantly favoring the cathodic process, suggesting potential corrosion-mitigation properties. Theoretical analyses involving DFT, MD simulations, and radial distribution function were conducted to postulate a mechanism and identify an inhibitory layer. Theoretical outcomes aligned closely with experimental data, thereby reinforcing the validity of our findings.

Abstract This study focuses on the design and preparation of a thin-walled plastic chair, and its mechanical properties were investigated by high load, cyclic load and drop impact. The finite element method (FEM) was employed to accurately evaluate the chair’s safety under these forces. Additionally, the effects of important structural parameters on the loading process in different states were investigated. Furthermore, a solid plastic chair prototype was created for experimental analysis. The findings revealed that increasing the thickness of the key structural parameters enhanced the safety properties of the chair under various load conditions. Optimal results were obtained when both dimensions were set to 5 mm. The deformation errors in FEM, experimental strength analysis, fatigue analysis, and drop impact analysis were measured at 3.7%, 3.6%, and 11.7%, respectively. Similarly, the stress errors were determined to be 5.9%, 5.2%, and 6.5%. These results suggest that the structural design of the chair demonstrates excellent reliability. Studying the crucial structural parameters of a plastic chair can provide valuable insights for the scientific design and safety evaluation of thin-walled furniture.

Abstract Evidence for the treatment of patients with mild-to-moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is limited. The efficacy of N-acetylcysteine (an antioxidant and mucolytic agent) for patients with mild-to-moderate COPD is uncertain. In this multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we randomly assigned 968 patients with mild-to-moderate COPD to treatment with N-acetylcysteine (600 mg, twice daily) or matched placebo for two years. Eligible participants were 40-80 years of age and had mild-to-moderate COPD (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1] to forced vital capacity ratio

Abstract The wild edible plants offer a valuable resource for food and human nutrition. The current study aimed to analyze the proximate composition and ethno-medicinal profiles of twenty selected wild edible plants from the Malakand District, Pakistan. The proximate composition (moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fat, and dietary fiber) was analyzed following Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC) protocols. Ethno-medicinal profiles were obtained through semi-structured interviews with local informants. Mineral elements were analyzed using Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDX) Spectroscopy. The normalized variation matrix and centered log ratio (CLR) biplot were used to assess linear associations between nutritional components. The results revealed significant variations in the nutritional components and mineral contents among the studied plant species. Higher crude carbohydrates (64.48%) were scrutinized in Ziziphus jujuba, followed by proteins (19.90%) in leaves of Solanum nigrum, fiber (19.50%) in Caralluma tuberculata and fats (6.12%) in Mentha spicata. A maximum energy value of 332.34 Kcal/100g was calculated for leaves of Solanum nigrum. The concentrations of carbon (C) in Mentha longifolia were (60.20%), followed by oxygen (46.06%) in Ziziphus jujuba, potassium (10.80%) in Rumex dentatusand nitrogen (7.98%) in Nasturtium officinale. The centered log ratio biplot confirms strong relationships between moisture, energy, carbohydrates, fibers, and ash content, while protein and fat concentrations exhibit a separate pattern. The findings provide valuable insights into the compositional data analysis of edible plant species, suggesting interdependencies among carbohydrate, energy, moisture content, and fibers. Additionally, the results of our current study showed that all of these selected wild edible plants have the potential to provide humans with important macronutrients and elements.

IntroductionB-cell lymphoma, a malignant proliferative disease originating from lymphoid tissue, poses a grave threat to human health. CD20 has emerged as a promising target for lymphoma treatment. However, due to the significant heterogeneity of B-cell lymphomas, conventional CD20 monoclonal antibodies show limited penetration, severely impeding the progress of B-cell lymphoma therapies.MethodsIn contrast, single-domain antibody molecules derived from cartilaginous fish have a molecular weight as small as 12 kDa, granting them robust penetration capabilities and making them the smallest known molecules of efficiently targeting specific antigens.ResultsAs a result, these molecules hold tremendous potential as candidate drugs for lymphoma treatment. In this study, the whitespotted bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium plagiosum) was immunized with recombinant human CD20 to generate specific single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) targeting CD20. By utilizing phage display technology, the variable new antigen receptors (VNARs) were successfully screened and identified, and play an important role in the inhibition of Raji lymphoblastoma.DiscussionThe sdAbs obtained through this research represent promising candidates for B-cell lymphoma treatment, displaying significant potential for clinical applications and offering a new direction for the development of targeted therapies against lymphoma.

Abstract Astrocytic processes minutely regulate neuronal activity via tripartite synaptic structures. The precision‐tuning of the function of astrocytic processes is garnering increasing attention because of its significance in promoting brain repair following ischemic stroke. Microdomain calcium (Ca2+) transients in astrocytic processes are pivotal for the functional regulation of these processes. However, the understanding of the alterations and regulatory mechanism of microdomain Ca2+ transients during stroke remains limited. In the present study, a fast high‐resolution, miniaturized two‐photon microscopy is used to show that the levels of astrocytic microdomain Ca2+ transients are significantly reduced in the peri‐infarct area of awake ischemic stroke mice. This finding correlated with the behavioral deficits shown by these mice under freely‐moving conditions. Mitochondrial Ca2+ activity is an important factor driving the microdomain Ca2+ transients. DEAD Box 1 (DDX1) bound to circSCMH1 (a circular RNA involved in vascular post‐stroke repair) facilitates the formation of membrane‐associated RNA‐containing vesicles (MARVs) and enhances the activity of astrocytic microdomain Ca2+ transients, thereby promoting behavioral recovery. These results show that targeting astrocytic microdomain Ca2+ transients is a potential therapeutic approach in stroke intervention.

Abstract Artificial intelligence (AI) decision support systems in pediatric healthcare have a complex application background. As an AI decision support system (AI-DSS) can be costly, once applied, it is crucial to focus on its performance, interpret its success, and then monitor and update it to ensure ongoing success consistently. Therefore, a set of evaluation indicators was explicitly developed for AI-DSS in pediatric healthcare, enabling continuous and systematic performance monitoring. The study unfolded in two stages. The first stage encompassed establishing the evaluation indicator set through a literature review, a focus group interview, and expert consultation using the Delphi method. In the second stage, weight analysis was conducted. Subjective weights were calculated based on expert opinions through analytic hierarchy process, while objective weights were determined using the entropy weight method. Subsequently, subject and object weights were synthesized to form the combined weight. In the two rounds of expert consultation, the authority coefficients were 0.834 and 0.846, Kendall's coordination coefficient was 0.135 in Round 1 and 0.312 in Round 2. The final evaluation indicator set has three first-class indicators, fifteen second-class indicators, and forty-seven third-class indicators. Indicator I-1(Organizational performance) carries the highest weight, followed by Indicator I-2(Societal performance) and Indicator I-3(User experience performance) in the objective and combined weights. Conversely, 'Societal performance' holds the most weight among the subjective weights, followed by 'Organizational performance' and 'User experience performance'. In this study, a comprehensive and specialized set of evaluation indicators for the AI-DSS in the pediatric outpatient clinic was established, and then implemented. Continuous evaluation still requires long-term data collection to optimize the weight proportions of the established indicators.

Abstract Regulating cardiolipin to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis is a promising strategy for addressing Parkinson's disease (PD). Through a comprehensive screening and validation process involving multiple models, ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) as a compound capable of enhancing cardiolipin levels is identified. This augmentation in cardiolipin levels fosters mitochondrial homeostasis by bolstering mitochondrial unfolded protein response, promoting mitophagy, and enhancing mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Consequently, this cascade enhances the survival of tyrosine hydroxylase positive (TH+) dopaminergic neurons, leading to an amelioration in motor performance within PD mouse models. Using limited proteolysis–small‐molecule mapping combined with molecular docking analysis, it has confirmed Growth Factor Receptor‐Bound Protein 2 (GRB2) as a molecular target for Rg3. Furthermore, these investigations reveal that Rg3 facilitates the interaction between GRB2 and TRKA (Neurotrophic Tyrosine Kinase, Receptor, Type 1), thus promotes EVI1 (Ecotropic Virus Integration Site 1 Protein Homolog) phosphorylation by ERK, subsequently increases CRLS1 (Cardiolipin Synthase 1) gene expression and boosts cardiolipin synthesis. The absence of GRB2 or CRLS1 significantly attenuates the beneficial effects of Rg3 on PD symptoms. Finally, Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF) that also promotes the binding between GRB2 and TRKA is further identified. The identified compounds, Rg3 and TDF, exhibit promising potential for the prevention of PD by bolstering cardiolipin expression and reinstating mitochondrial homeostasis.

Abstract The phytosociological survey was conducted during 2018-2020. The research area was classified into five ecological zones based on habitat, physiognomy and species composition. Pc-Ord software was used for cluster analysis and four vegetation communities were established. The Quercus baloot-Quercus incana community is situated in Sair at an altitude of 1196 (mean ± SE) m altitude with a 14.1 ± 0 slope angle and contains eleven tree species. The Pinus wallichiana- Ailanthus altissima community had a relatively small number of tree species reported in Shakawlie at 1556 (mean ± SE) with a 17.5 ± 0 slope angle. The Pinus wallichiana- Quercus incana community is distributed in Wali Kandao and Mangi Kandao at altitudes of 2030.5 (mean ± SE) m and the slope angle was 19.2 ± 1.4. This community possesses a total of twenty-one tree species and is highly diverse. Similarly, the Populus alba - Platanus orientalis group was present in Banr Pate, with an altitude of 1613 (mean ± SE) m and a 16.3 slope angle. The principal component analysis (PCA) and non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS) ordination methods were applied to study the relationships between ecological and soil variables with trees species. The NMS ordination of axis 1 was significantly correlated with Sand% (p

Abstract RNA splicing is a dynamic molecular process in response to environmental stimuli and is strictly regulated by the spliceosome. Sm proteins, constituents of the spliceosome, are key components that mediate splicing reactions; however, their potential role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is poorly understood. In the study, SNRPD2 (PD2) is found to be the most highly upregulated Sm protein in HCC and to act as an oncogene. PD2 modulates DDX39A intron retention together with HNRNPL to sustain the DDX39A short variant (39A_S) expression. Mechanistically, 39A_S can mediate MYC mRNA nuclear export to maintain high MYC protein expression, while MYC in turn potentiates PD2 transcription. Importantly, digitoxin can directly interact with PD2 and has a notable cancer‐suppressive effect on HCC. The study reveals a novel mechanism by which DDX39A senses oncogenic MYC signaling and undergoes splicing via PD2 to form a positive feedback loop in HCC, which can be targeted by digitoxin.

Background: Ludwig's angina is a potentially life-threatening disease characterized by diffuse bilateral cellulitis with an odontogenic origin. This unique infection is now rare owing to the antibiotic era. Case: This patient presented to the emergency room with trismus, jaw and neck swelling, mild respiratory distress with tachypnea, hyperthermia, and panic. Clinical examination and radiographic evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of Ludwig's angina. As it is a quickly spreading infection, the patient was taken up for immediate surgical decompression leading to pus drainage, removal of the offending tooth, bacterial culture and sensitivity, and administration of empirical antibiotics. As we had operated promptly, there was no need for emergency airway intervention, and the patient had immediate relief from airway distress. Conclusions: Early accurate diagnosis with conservative surgical decompression, thereby negating the need for airway intervention, was vital to avoiding mortality which is always possible in such an expeditious infection.

Abstract In the modern world, wheat, a vital global cereal and the second most consumed, is vulnerable to climate change impacts. These include erratic rainfall and extreme temperatures, endangering global food security. Research on hydrogen-rich water (HRW) has gained momentum in plant and agricultural sciences due to its diverse functions. This study examined the effects of different HRW treatment durations on wheat, revealing that the 4-h treatment had the highest germination rate, enhancing potential, vigor, and germination indexes. This treatment also boosted relative water content, root and shoot weight, and average lengths. Moreover, the 4-h HRW treatment resulted in the highest chlorophyll and soluble protein concentrations in seeds while reducing cell death. The 4-h and 5-h HRW treatments significantly increased H2O2 levels, with the highest NO detected in both root and shoot after 4-h HRW exposure. Additionally, HRW-treated seeds exhibited increased Zn and Fe concentrations, along with antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, SOD, APX) in roots and shoots. These findings suggest that HRW treatment could enhance wheat seed germination, growth, and nutrient absorption, thereby increasing agricultural productivity. Molecular analysis indicated significant upregulation of the Dreb1 gene with a 4-h HRW treatment. Thus, it shows promise in addressing climate change effects on wheat production. Therefore, HRW treatment could be a hopeful strategy for enhancing wheat plant drought tolerance, requiring further investigation (field experiments) to validate its impact on plant growth and drought stress mitigation.

Abstract Telomere length (TL) shortening is a pivotal indicator of biological aging and is associated with many human diseases. The genetic determinates of human TL have been widely investigated, however, most existing studies were conducted based on adult tissues which are heavily influenced by lifetime exposure. Based on the analyses of terminal restriction fragment (TRF) length of telomere, individual genotypes, and gene expressions on 166 healthy placental tissues, we systematically interrogate TL-modulated genes and their potential functions. We discover that the TL in the placenta is comparatively longer than in other adult tissues, but exhibiting an intra-tissue homogeneity. Trans-ancestral TL genome-wide association studies (GWASs) on 644,553 individuals identify 20 newly discovered genetic associations and provide increased polygenic determination of human TL. Next, we integrate the powerful TL GWAS with placental expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) mapping to prioritize 23 likely causal genes, among which 4 are functionally validated, including MMUT, RRM1, KIAA1429, and YWHAZ. Finally, modeling transcriptomic signatures and TRF-based TL improve the prediction performance of human TL. This study deepens our understanding of causal genes and transcriptomic determinants of human TL, promoting the mechanistic research on fine-grained TL regulation.

Abstract Green innovation plays a crucial role in transforming economic models and achieving sustainable development in enterprises. As an important embodiment of artificial intelligence technology, how industrial robots can effectively promote the green transformation of enterprises has become an important issue. This paper examines the impact and mechanisms of industrial robot adoption on corporate green innovation, as well as its heterogeneous effects. Using data from Chinese listed companies from 2007 to 2019, we find that industrial robot adoption has a significant positive impact on corporate green innovation, enhancing both its quantity and quality. Furthermore, our mechanism study reveals that industrial robot adoption can promote corporate green innovation by improving productivity and environmental management capabilities. Additionally, we investigate the moderating effects of various factors and conclude that the positive impact of industrial robot adoption on green innovation is more pronounced among the state-owned enterprises, enterprises with the intense market competition, as well as enterprises located in regions with higher carbon emissions intensity. This paper contributes to enrich the research on industrial robots and corporate green innovation, and provides a reference to improve environmental management and achieve a low-carbon economy in emerging markets.

Abstract Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) gene therapy has curative potential; however, its use is limited by the morbidity and mortality associated with current chemotherapy-based conditioning. Targeted conditioning using antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) holds promise for reduced toxicity in HSC gene therapy. Here we test the ability of an antibody-drug conjugate targeting CD117 (CD117-ADC) to enable engraftment in a non-human primate lentiviral gene therapy model of hemoglobinopathies. Following single-dose CD117-ADC, a >99% depletion of bone marrow CD34 + CD90 + CD45RA- cells without lymphocyte reduction is observed, which results are not inferior to multi-day myeloablative busulfan conditioning. CD117-ADC, similarly to busulfan, allows efficient engraftment, gene marking, and vector-derived fetal hemoglobin induction. Importantly, ADC treatment is associated with minimal toxicity, and CD117-ADC-conditioned animals maintain fertility. In contrast, busulfan treatment commonly causes severe toxicities and infertility in humans. Thus, the myeloablative capacity of single-dose CD117-ADC is sufficient for efficient engraftment of gene-modified HSCs while preserving fertility and reducing adverse effects related to toxicity in non-human primates. This targeted conditioning approach thus provides the proof-of-principle to improve risk-benefit ratio in a variety of HSC-based gene therapy products in humans.

Abstract A structurally dense hydrogel, with strong hydrogen bonding networks, was formed from poly(vinyl alcohol), sodium alginate, and oligomeric proanthocyanidins, using a combination of freeze–thaw cycles and calcium ion cross-linking. The structure of the hydrogel was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Mechanical testing and thermogravimetric analysis showed that incorporation of proanthocyanidins enhanced both the mechanical properties and the thermal stability of the hydrogel. The hydrogel was also demonstrated to have excellent ultraviolet resistance and antioxidant properties. The hydrogel was further shown that this hydrogel is also capable of generating electrochemical reactions, which strongly suggests that this hydrogel has exciting potential in many fields.

In the original publication (doi: 10 [...]

Excessive CO2 emissions and increased total costs of liner shipping are the two main problems affecting the environmental and economic benefits of liner companies under the European Union Emission Trading System (EU ETS). To address the upcoming EU ETS, we propose a carbon and cost accounting model for liner shipping that accurately calculates CO2 emissions and total cost of liner shipping. We conduct a case study that a containership operates on the liner route from the Far East to Northwest Europe. The results show that the sailing stage plays a pivotal role in CO2 emissions from liner shipping, accounting for 94.70% of CO2 emissions. Among four types of fuel, CO2 emissions from liner shipping using MGO is the largest, while CO2 emissions from liner shipping using methanol is the smallest. Methanol, as an alternative fuel, proves to be a better choice than LNG for CO2 control of liner shipping. The relationship between sailing speed and CO2 emissions follows a U-shaped curve for the selected containership. Notably, speed reduction is effective in carbon control of liner shipping only when the sailing speed exceeds 8.29 knots. Under the EU ETS, sailing speed is a key variable affecting the total cost of liner shipping. Speed reduction may not always be cost-effective. When keeping the total cost of liner shipping unchanged, sailing speed should be reduced as the EU allowance (EUA) price rises within a certain range. For the selected containership using MGO and HFO, the most economical sailing speed is 8.29 knots, corresponding to the increase in EUA price of 304.95% and 261.21%, respectively. If EUA price continues to rise, speed reduction will become ineffective in controlling the total cost of liner shipping. This model can enhance the environmental and economic benefits of liner companies, meet compliance requirements of the EU ETS, and provide a new perspective for carbon and cost control of liner shipping.

BackgroundFew studies on molecular epidemiology have studied people with newly diagnosed HIV infection and ART Failure Patients at the same time in rural China. With more serious HIV epidemic than in other provinces in China, Sichuan is an area suitable for this study.ObjectiveTo analyze the characteristics of HIV-1 molecular networks and factors related to network entry among newly diagnosed HIV infection and ART Failure Patients in three county-level cities (A, B, C) in Sichuan Province, to provide scientific basis for accurate prevention and control.MethodsNested PCR amplification method was used to amplify HIV-1 pol gene region of 530 blood samples, Sequencer 4.9 was used to edit, clean and splice the gene sequence, Bioedit correction, Fastree 2.1.8 and Figtree 1.4.2 to construct evolutionary tree and determine genotype. HyPhy2.2.4 and Cytoscape 3.6.1 software were used to construct molecular network. Logistic regression analysis was applied.Results523(98.68%) pol sequences were obtained, and a total of 518 valid sequences with basic information came into the final analyses. A total of 6 genotypes were detected, namely CRF01_AE (320,61.78%), CRF07_BC (149,28.76%), B (30,5.79%), CRF08_BC (11, 2.12%), CRF55_01B (6, 1.16%) and C (2, 0.39%). 186 of 518(35.91%) sequences entered the network at a genetic distance of 0.8%, forming 42 propagation clusters. "High-risk transmitters"(connected with two and more) accounted for 21.62%. Logistic regression showed that≥50 years old (OR = 2.474) were more risky than 18-49 years old, CRF07_BC sub-type (OR = 0.174) were less risky than CRF01_AE sub-type, B sub-type (OR = 6.698) is higher risky than CRF01_AE sub-type, and District B (OR = 0.077) less risky than that of A city.ConclusionThe sources of HIV infection in rural Sichuan are diversified and complicated. The prevention and control of HIV infection in Sichuan Province should focus on strengthening the long-term dynamic detection of elderly population, B strain sub-type, and in City A.

The image of a tourist destination is considered a vital aspect of international travel experiences, yet research in this area remains limited. Adopting a combination of netography and qualitative research methodology, this study aims to contribute to the scientific knowledge of destination image development in Thailand by analysing online travelogues to evaluate how Chinese tourists interpret the idea of destination image. To achieve this goal, 146,641 words of Chinese internet comments containing the keyword "Thailand" from four major media sources and Chinese bloggers were gathered and analysed using netography methodology. The findings showed that there was a rise in public interest, in public forums, in the destination image of Thailand among Chinese outbound tourists. The study's results may provide important fundamental theoretical insights and inspire further investigation into the issue of destination image construction.

The mechanisms behind how vascular repair is regulated after ischemic stroke are yet to be elucidated. Here, the authors describe that a circular RNA interacts with FTO to promote vascular repair following stroke in mice and primates via mediating m6 A modification.

In 2024, the EU intends to include the global shipping industry in the European Union Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS). Shipping companies will have to pay for the carbon emissions of ships over 5,000 GT on routes between EU and non-EU ports. This paper selects typical shipping companies in the world. Based on the principle of fairness, historical method, baseline method and mixed method are adopted to explore their carbon emission quota allocation. The ZSG-DEA efficiency model is used to evaluate the distribution results and verify the optimal efficiency. The research results show that the mixed method has a high efficiency of allocation. The method predicts that the carbon quota of typical shipping companies in the world will reach the Pareto optimal allocation in 2024 and Maersk has the highest carbon emission quota among the eight typical shipping companies, reaching 32,431,800 tons, followed by MSC and EMC, reaching 8,542,400 tons and 6,809,500 tons, respectively. Based on the results, we can obtain a reasonable allocation of carbon allowances in the EU carbon market according to the proportion of business of shipping companies involved in EU routes. The research is still applicable to the allocation of carbon emmissions in future years. Therefore, this paper provides suggestions for the orderly allocation of carbon quota and carbon trading in the global shipping market.

The Ozone Monitoring Suite-Nadir (OMS-N) instrument is the first hyperspectral remote sensor in the ultraviolet band of China’s Fengyun series satellites. It can be used to detect several kinds of atmospheric constituents. This paper describes the prelaunch spectral calibration of the OMS-N onboard FengYun 3F. Several critical spectral parameters including the spectral resolution, spectral dispersion, and the instrument spectral response function were determined through laser-based measurements. A secondary peak of the instrument spectral response function from the short wavelength side of the ultraviolet band was found, and the possible influence on data applications was analyzed using a reference solar model and radiative transfer model. The results indicate that the spectral resolution and spectral accuracy of OMS-N meet the mission requirements. However, the asymmetries in the instrument spectral response function in the ultraviolet band were found near nadir rows, which are expressed as the “asymmetric central peak” and “secondary peak”. The analysis results show that if the influences of the instrument spectral response function “asymmetric central peak” and “secondary peak” in the ultraviolet band are ignored, they will bring an error as large as 5% at the center of the absorption line.

Sea surface temperature (SST) is a key parameter in ocean hydrology. Currently, existing SST prediction methods fail to fully utilize the potential spatial correlation between variables. To address this challenge, we propose a spatiotenporal UNet (ST-UNet) model based on the UNet model. In particular, in the encoding phase of ST-UNet, we use parallel convolution with different kernel sizes to efficiently extract spatial features, and use ConvLSTM to capture temporal features based on the utilization of spatial features. Atrous Spatial Pyramid Pooling (ASPP) module is placed at the bottleneck of the network to further incorporate the multi-scale features, allowing the spatial features to be fully utilized. The final prediction is then generated in the decoding stage using parallel convolution with different kernel sizes similar to the encoding stage. We conducted a series of experiments on the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea SST data set, as well as the South China Sea SST data set, using SST data from the past 35 days to predict SST data for 1, 3, and 7 days in the future. The model was trained using data spanning from 2010 to 2021, with data from 2022 being utilized to assess the model’s predictive performance. The experimental results show that the model proposed in this research paper achieves excellent results at different prediction scales in both sea areas, and the model consistently outperforms other methods. Specifically, in the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea sea areas, when the prediction scales are 1, 3, and 7 days, the MAE of ST-UNet outperforms the best results of the other three compared models by 17%, 12%, and 2%, and the MSE by 16%, 18%, and 9%, respectively. In the South China Sea, when the prediction ranges are 1, 3, and 7 days, the MAE of ST-UNet is 27%, 18%, and 3% higher than the best of the other three compared models, and the MSE is 46%, 39%, and 16% higher, respectively. Our results highlight the effectiveness of the ST-UNet model in capturing spatial correlations and accurately predicting SST. The proposed model is expected to improve marine hydrographic studies.

Summary: Distant metastasis remains the leading cause of high mortality in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). DIRAS3 is a candidate tumor suppressor protein that is decreased in various tumors. However, the regulatory mechanism of DIRAS3 on metastasis of NSCLC remains unclear. Here, we found that DIRAS3 suppressed the migration of NSCLC cells. Besides, DIRAS3 stimulated the polyubiquitination of RAC1 and suppressed its protein expression. Furthermore, RNF19B, a member of the RBR E3 ubiquitin ligase family, was observed to be the E3 ligase involved in the DIRAS3-induced polyubiquitination of RAC1. DIRAS3 could promote the binding of RAC1 and RNF19B, thus enhancing the degradation of RAC1 by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Finally, the DIRAS3-RNF19B-RAC1 axis was confirmed to be associated with the malignant progression of NSCLC. These findings may be beneficial for developing potential prognostic markers of NSCLC and may provide an effective treatment strategy.

Miniaturized infrared spectrometers are required for imaging and remote sensing applications, but they are usually characterized by a cm-scale footprint. Here, the authors report the realization of near-infrared spectrometers based on Au-atom-intercalated ReS2/WSe2 heterostructures with an active footprint < 10 μm and electrically tunable photoresponse.

De Ravin et al. report an unplanned interim analysis of a secondary safety outcome for an ongoing clinical trial on lentiviral gene therapy for the treatment of X-linked Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (NCT01306019). Vector induced alternative splicing events are identified that cause aberrant fusion transcripts, leading to clonal dominance in a single patient and clonal expansion in others. This can be mitigated by the removal of the lentivector cryptic splice acceptor.

Abstract HIV subtypes convey important epidemiological information and possibly influence the rate of disease progression. In this study, HIV disease progression in patients infected with CRF01_AE, CRF07_BC, and subtype B was compared in the largest HIV molecular epidemiology study ever done in China. A national data set of HIV pol sequences was assembled by pooling sequences from public databases and the Beijing HIV laboratory network. Logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with the risk of AIDS at diagnosis ([AIDSAD], defined as a CD4 count

Alternative splicing is dysregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma. Here, the authors investigate the role of the splice variant of Splicing Regulatory Glutamic Acid and Lysine Rich Protein 1 (SREK1) and its upstream regulator, Serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 10 (SRSF10) in sustaining the oncogenic signal.

The current lake environmental problem of harmful cyanobacterial blooms cannot be mitigated effectively despite numerous eutrophication control strategies, and climate warming may have been considered as a potential key driver. However, it is still unclear how climate change and associated natural processes influence cyanobacterial development. Here we use a sedimentary pigment record from a remote, alpine, small and eutrophic lake (Lake Mayinghai) on the Chinese Loess Plateau and take the mid-Holocene as an analog to explore the possible influences of temperature, precipitation and terrestrial vegetation on in-lake and catchment processes, algal compositional changes and cyanobacterial development. The pigment data indirectly suggest that a distinctly low β-carotene to chlorophyll a ratio during the mid-Holocene is likely due to an increase in non-nitrogen-fixing colonial coccoid cyanobacteria at the expense of nitrogen-fixing filamentous cyanobacteria. There are two probable synergistic driving mechanisms, of which one is high temperatures and associated increased lake thermal stratification and the other is high inorganic nitrogen supply and resultant increased lake nitrogen to phosphorus ratio. This study provides implications for the potential influences of future climate change on cyanobacterial development under a warmer, wetter and re-forested environment on the Chinese Loess Plateau.

Measuring regional differences in agricultural green total factor productivity (AGTFP) provides a basis for policy guidance on agricultural green development in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region. By constructing a two-period Malmquist–Luenberger index under the carbon emission constraint, we measure the AGTFP of cities in the YRD region from 2001 to 2019. Furthermore, adopting the Moran index method and the hot spot analysis method, this paper analyzes the global spatial correlation and local spatial correlation of AGTFP in this region. Moreover, we investigate its spatial convergence. The results show that the AGTFP of 41 cities in the YRD region is on an increasing trend; the growth of AGTFP in the eastern cities is mainly driven by green technical efficiency, while this growth in the southern cities is mainly stimulated by green technical efficiency and green technological progress. We also find a significant spatial correlation between cities’ AGTFP in the YRD region from 2001 to 2019, but with certain fluctuations, showing a U-shaped trend of "strong-weak-strong". In addition, absolute β convergence of the AGTFP exists in the YRD region, and this convergence speed is accelerated with the addition of spatial factors. This evidence provides support for implementing the regional integration development strategy and optimizing the regional agricultural spatial layout. Our findings offer implications for promoting the transfer of green agricultural technology to the southwest of the YRD region, strengthening the construction of agricultural economic belts and agricultural economic circles, and improving the efficiency of agricultural resource use.

Measuring regional differences in agricultural green total factor productivity (AGTFP) provides a basis for policy guidance on agricultural green development in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region. By constructing a two-period Malmquist-Luenberger index under the carbon emission constraint, we measure the AGTFP of cities in the YRD region from 2001 to 2019. Furthermore, adopting the Moran index method and the hot spot analysis method, this paper analyzes the global spatial correlation and local spatial correlation of AGTFP in this region. Moreover, we investigate its spatial convergence. The results show that the AGTFP of 41 cities in the YRD region is on an increasing trend; the growth of AGTFP in the eastern cities is mainly driven by green technical efficiency, while this growth in the southern cities is mainly stimulated by green technical efficiency and green technological progress. We also find a significant spatial correlation between cities' AGTFP in the YRD region from 2001 to 2019, but with certain fluctuations, showing a U-shaped trend of "strong-weak-strong". In addition, absolute β convergence of the AGTFP exists in the YRD region, and this convergence speed is accelerated with the addition of spatial factors. This evidence provides support for implementing the regional integration development strategy and optimizing the regional agricultural spatial layout. Our findings offer implications for promoting the transfer of green agricultural technology to the southwest of the YRD region, strengthening the construction of agricultural economic belts and agricultural economic circles, and improving the efficiency of agricultural resource use.

The detection of neurotransmitters has extensively been applied to the study of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapeutic effect of drugs on many neuropsychiatric diseases. High-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) has been employed to determine neurotransmitters levels due to its distinct advantages. However, neurotransmitter detection still presents some challenges. A rapid and sensitive HPLC-MS/MS protocol has been established in our lab, which can simultaneously detect 5 neurotransmitters with an easy pretreatment procedure. The protocol provides demanded reference value for the lab using an Agilent HPLC-MS/MS system with a triple quadrupole analyzer.

Abstract Both hybrid electrostatic filtration and agglomeration technologies can effectively improve the efficiency of fine particle collection. A hybrid electrostatic filtration system with a wire-tube bipolar precharger was developed on the basis of bipolar transverse plate electrostatic precipitation technology. Theoretical analyses of electric field and flow field distribution showed that a uniform electric field and high turbulence intensity improve ion migration and particle agglomeration in the novel wire-tube bipolar precharger. The influence of unipolar and bipolar prechargers on dust removal was investigated. In the hybrid electrostatic filtration system with the bipolar precharger, the corona current was 30% higher, the particles deposited on the surface of the filter bag were 19% larger, and the pressure drop was 30% smaller than a filtration system with a unipolar precharger. When silicon powder with a median diameter of 1.7 µm was used, the mean penetration of the experimental device with the bipolar precharger was 45% lower than that of the experimental device with the unipolar precharger.

Abstract Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate many biological processes by interacting with corresponding RNA-binding proteins. The identification of lncRNA–protein Interactions (LPIs) is significantly important to well characterize the biological functions and mechanisms of lncRNAs. Existing computational methods have been effectively applied to LPI prediction. However, the majority of them were evaluated only on one LPI dataset, thereby resulting in prediction bias. More importantly, part of models did not discover possible LPIs for new lncRNAs (or proteins). In addition, the prediction performance remains limited. To solve with the above problems, in this study, we develop a Deep Forest-based LPI prediction method (LPIDF). First, five LPI datasets are obtained and the corresponding sequence information of lncRNAs and proteins are collected. Second, features of lncRNAs and proteins are constructed based on four-nucleotide composition and BioSeq2vec with encoder-decoder structure, respectively. Finally, a deep forest model with cascade forest structure is developed to find new LPIs. We compare LPIDF with four classical association prediction models based on three fivefold cross validations on lncRNAs, proteins, and LPIs. LPIDF obtains better average AUCs of 0.9012, 0.6937 and 0.9457, and the best average AUPRs of 0.9022, 0.6860, and 0.9382, respectively, for the three CVs, significantly outperforming other methods. The results show that the lncRNA FTX may interact with the protein P35637 and needs further validation.

With the construction of China’s ecological civilization and the proposal of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, shore power has been vigorously developed as an important technology for the future green development of ports. However, China’s electricity is still mostly coal-fired, which produces many carbon emissions. Coupled with regional differences, shore power is by no means certain to lower carbon emissions compared with fuel throughout China. Considering the power energy structure in different regions, this paper establishes a carbon emission correlation model between fuel and shore power during ship berthing, calculates the feasibility and actual emission reduction effect of shore power in coastal ports, and studies the restriction condition of starting time for the use of shore power for ships attached to ports according to the national policy of mandatory use of shore power. The results show that only a small part of coastal provinces and cities are suitable for using shore power, and it is limited by the berthing time of the ship. However, this condition is not related to the size of ships but related to the proportion of power generation. Therefore, the government should develop shore power according to local conditions, and vigorously increase the proportion of clean energy, so that the shore power truly achieve zero carbon emissions.

The rate of breast cancer is rapidly increasing and discovering medications with therapeutic effects play a significant role in women’s health. Drugs derived from marine sponges have recently received FDA approval for the treatment of malignant tumors, including metastatic breast cancer. Spirastrella pachyspira (marine sponge) is mainly obtained from the western coastal region of India, and its anticancer potential has not been explored. Hence, the present study aimed to evaluate the anticancer potential of Spirastrella pachyspira extracts and its bioactive molecule sphingosine. The extracts were prepared using hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and ethanol. The cytotoxic potential of the extracts were determined by an in-vitro MTT assay using SK-BR-3 cancer cell line. Subsequently, acute toxicity investigation was conducted in Swiss albino mice. Then, the anticancer effects of the extract was investigated in a xenograft model of SK-BR-3 caused breast cancer. DAPI staining was used to assess the extract’s ability to induce apoptosis. In addition, in-silico study was conducted on sphingosine with extracellular site of HER2. The ethyl acetate extract of Spirastrella pachyspira (IC50: 0.04 µg/ml) showed comparable anticancer effects with standard doxorubicin (IC50: 0.054 µg/ml). The LD50 of the extracts in acute toxicity testing was fund to be 2000 mg/kg b.wt. The survival index of mice in ethanol extract was 83.33%, whereas that of standard doxirubicin was 100%, indicating that ethyl acetate extract Spirastrella pachyspira has good antiproliferative/cytotoxic properties. The results were well comparable with standard doxorubicin. Further, the docking studies of sphingosine against HER2 demonstrated that the bioactive molecule engage with the extracellular region of HER2 and block the protein as also shown by standard trastuzumab. The findings of this research suggest that Spirastrella pachyspira and sphingosine may be potential candidate for the treatments of breast cancer, particularly for HER2 positive cells. Overall, the present results demonstrate that sphingosine looks like a promising molecule for the development of new drugs for the treatment of cancer. However, in order to carefully define the sphingosine risk-benefit ratio, future research should focus on evaluating in-vivo and clinical anticancer studies. This will involve balancing both their broad-spectrum effectiveness and their toxicity.

Abstract Here, we present new evidence that evolutionary adaptation of the Ailuripodinae lineage to bamboo diet has taken place by morphological adaptations in the masticatory system. The giant panda in the wild and in captivity removes without an exception the outer skin of all bamboo shoots, rich in abrasive and toxic compounds, by the highly adapted premolars P3 and P4. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) allows sidewise movement of the jaw and the premolars can, in a cusp-to-cusp position, remove the poorly digestible outer skin of the bamboo before crushing the bamboo with molars. Based on the evidence presented here, we suggest that adaptation of TMJ to lateral movement for enabling cusp-to-cusp contact of premolars is the crucial evolutionary factor as which we consider the key to understand the Ailuropodinae lineage adaptive pathway to utilize the bamboo resource.

Abstract The outbreak of a novel febrile respiratory disease called COVID-19, caused by a newfound coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has brought a worldwide attention. Prioritizing approved drugs is critical for quick clinical trials against COVID-19. In this study, we first manually curated three Virus-Drug Association (VDA) datasets. By incorporating VDAs with the similarity between drugs and that between viruses, we constructed a heterogeneous Virus-Drug network. A novel Random Walk with Restart method (VDA-RWR) was then developed to identify possible VDAs related to SARS-CoV-2. We compared VDA-RWR with three state-of-the-art association prediction models based on fivefold cross-validations (CVs) on viruses, drugs and virus-drug associations on three datasets. VDA-RWR obtained the best AUCs for the three fivefold CVs, significantly outperforming other methods. We found two small molecules coming together on the three datasets, that is, remdesivir and ribavirin. These two chemical agents have higher molecular binding energies of − 7.0 kcal/mol and − 6.59 kcal/mol with the domain bound structure of the human receptor angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, respectively. Interestingly, for the first time, experimental results suggested that navitoclax could be potentially applied to stop SARS-CoV-2 and remains to further validation.

Abstract The infiltration of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells into lymphoid organs correlates with disease severity. CXCL12 is a key chemotactic factor for the trafficking of CLL. Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) is a serine protease inhibitor and plays a role in CXCL12-mediated hematopoietic stem cell homing. We aim to explore the role of TFPI in CXCL12-mediated migration of CLL cells. In this study, plasma TFPI concentrations were measured by ELISA. CLL cells were isolated from patients and used for trans-endothelial migration (TEM) assays. Quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of CXCR7, CXCR4 and β-catenin. Immunofluorescence and co-immunoprecipitation was used to detect the binding of TFPI and glypican-3 (GPC3). We found that plasma TFPI levels in CLL patients were higher than in healthy controls, particularly in the patients with advanced disease. TFPI enhanced CXCL12-mediated TEM of CLL cells by increasing the expression of the CXCL12 receptor CXCR7, but not of the CXCL12 receptor CXCR4. The effect of TFPI on TEM was abolished by the CXCR7 inhibitor, CCX771, while the CXCR4 inhibitor AMD3100 strongly increased TEM. TFPI co-localized with GPC3 on the cell surface. An antibody to GPC3, HS20, decreased CXCR7 expression and abolished the effect of TFPI on TEM. TFPI activated β-catenin and the Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor IWP4 repressed the effect of TFPI on CXCR7 expression and TEM. We conclude that TFPI may contribute to organ infiltration in CLL patients.

Abstract In view of the complex reservoir heterogeneities within weathered volcanic rocks, taking the Carboniferous volcanic weathered profile reservoir of the northwest Junggar Basin as an example, this study aims to characterize weathered volcanic rocks by the core, thin slice, log interpretation, and experimental test. The Carboniferous volcanic rocks are mainly composed of volcanic lava, volcanic breccia, and tuff, etc, which formed in a volcanic arc environment. As a result of the weathering and denudation, the weathered profile can be divided into four layers: weathered clay layer, intensive weathered zone, weak weathered zone, and unweathered compacted zone. The preserved void space mainly includes primary porosity (both vesicular and fractures), secondary pores, and fractures enhanced by weathering and structural processes. Among them, the volcanic facies control the first‐order properties of the reservoir. The degree of weathering‐leaching controls the thickness of the weathered part of the reservoir. The faults and fractures control the seepage/permeability capacity of weathered volcanic reservoir. On the plane, the weathered volcanic reservoirs mainly distributed along the fault zone, tectonic zone, and favorable lithofacies zone. On the longitudinal direction, they are always within the weathered profile toward the top of a certain depth range (20‐240 m).

The sudden deterioration of patients with novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) into critical illness is of major concern and early assessment would be vital. Here, the authors show that a deep learning-based survival model can predict the risk of COVID-19 patients developing critical illness based on clinical characteristics at admission.

Low back pain is a serious threat to human health and the illness jeopardizes the human workforce and pressurizes the health system in the community. Low back pain might be related to piriformis syndrome (PS), which is a disorder presented as muscular spasm and hypertrophy that is strongly associated with piriformis thickness. Nevertheless, the relationship between piriformis thickness and morphological and functional changes of the gluteal muscles in PS remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between the thickness, strength, and activation of piriformis and gluteus muscles (maximus and medius) among low back pain (LBP) patients with and without PS. This is a case-control study conducted at HSNZ and UiTM from 2019–2020. A total number of 91 participants (LBP + PS (n = 36), LBP − PS (n = 24), and healthy (n = 31)) were recruited in this study. Negative radiography, specific symptoms, and a positive PS test were applied for PS diagnoses. The thickness, strength, and activation of piriformis and gluteus muscles were measured using ultrasonography (USG) and a surface electromyogram, respectively. Resultantly, the one-way ANOVA test demonstrated no significant difference in piriformis thickness between LBP + PS and LBP − PS (p > 0.01). Piriformis thickness was inversely correlated with gluteus maximus strength (r = −0.4, p < 0.05) and positively correlated with gluteus medius activation (r = 0.48, p < 0.01) in LBP + PS. Stepwise linear regression for LBP + PS revealed a significant association between piriformis thickness and gluteus maximus strength (R = −0.34, accounted for 11% of the variance) and gluteus medius activation in prone lying with the hip in an externally rotated, abducted, and extended (ERABEX) position (R = 0.43, accounted for 23% of the variance). With the adjustment of age and gender, piriformis thickness, gluteus maximus strength, and gluteus medius activation in prone lying with hip ERABEX demonstrated a significant association, but no independent effect of age and gender was detected within the range. Meanwhile, a significant association between piriformis thickness and gluteus maximus thickness was observed (R = 0.44, accounted for 19% of the variance) in the LBP − PS group. These findings may assist to elucidate the actions and functions of piriformis and gluteus muscle in LBP with and without PS.