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Abstract Emerged evidence has indicated that immunosuppression is involved in the occurrence and development of sepsis. To provide clinical practice recommendations on the immune function in sepsis, an expert consensus focusing on the monitoring and treatment of sepsis-induced immunosuppression was developed. Literature related to the immune monitoring and treatment of sepsis were retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure to design items and expert opinions were collected through an online questionnaire. Then, the Delphi method was used to form consensus opinions, and RAND appropriateness method was developed to provide consistency evaluation and recommendation levels for consensus opinions. This consensus achieved satisfactory results through two rounds of questionnaire survey, with 2 statements rated as perfect consistency, 13 as very good consistency, and 9 as good consistency. After summarizing the results, a total of 14 strong recommended opinions, 8 weak recommended opinions and 2 non-recommended opinions were produced. Finally, a face-to-face discussion of the consensus opinions was performed through an online meeting, and all judges unanimously agreed on the content of this consensus. In summary, this expert consensus provides a preliminary guidance for the monitoring and treatment of immunosuppression in patients with sepsis.

Objective(s): This study aimed to determine the therapeutic effect of equol (EQ) on osteoporotic osteoarthritis (OP OA). Materials and Methods: Thirty-six 12-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group, OP OA group, and EQ group (n=12). OP OA was induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) combined with ovariectomy (OVX). EQ was orally administrated (10 μg/g/day) after the operation for 12 weeks. The efficacy was evaluated by gross pathology and histopathologic evaluation. The underlying mechanism was investigated by immunohistochemical analysis, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scanning, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. Results: EQ effectively retarded cartilage degeneration, decreased the levels of matrix metalloproteinases-13 (MMP-13), a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5 (ADAMTS-5), nuclear factor-kappa B P65 (NF-κB P65) and caspase-3, and increased the levels of collagen type II (Col-II), Col-I, aggrecan (AGG), and inhibitor of NF-κB α (IκBα) in the cartilage. In addition, EQ increased bone mineral density, improved the microstructural parameters of the subchondral bone (SB), and decreased the number of osteoclasts. Conclusion: EQ exerted a chondroprotective effect on OP OA in rats, associated with inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway and chondrocyte apoptosis. Furthermore, EQ showed an osteoprotective effect on SB via inhibiting osteoclastic activities.

IntroductionThe pathogenic gene CDH23 plays a pivotal role in tip links, which is indispensable for mechanoelectrical transduction in the hair cells. However, the underlying molecular mechanism and signal regulatory networks that influence deafness is still largely unknown.MethodsIn this study, a congenital deafness family, whole exome sequencing revealed a new mutation in the pathogenic gene CDH23, subsequently; the mutation has been validated using Sanger sequencing method. Then CRISPR/Cas9 technology was employed to knockout zebrafish cdh23 gene. Startle response experiment was used to compare with wide-type, the response to sound stimulation between wide-type and cdh23−/−. To further illustrate the molecular mechanisms underlying congenital deafness, comparative transcriptomic profiling and multiple bioinformatics analyses were performed.ResultsThe YO-PRO-1 assay result showed that in cdh23 deficient embryos, the YO-PRO-1 signal in inner ear and lateral line neuromast hair cells were completely lost. Startle response experiment showed that compared with wide-type, the response to sound stimulation decreased significantly in cdh23 mutant larvae. Comparative transcriptomic showed that the candidate genes such as atp1b2b and myof could affect hearing by regulating ATP production and purine metabolism in a synergetic way with cdh23. RT-qPCR results further confirmed the transcriptomics results. Further compensatory experiment showed that ATP treated cdh23−/− embryos can partially recover the mutant phenotype.ConclusionIn conclusion, our study may shed light on deciphering the principal mechanism and provide a potential therapeutic method for congenital hearing loss under the condition of CDH23 mutation.

Magnetic reconnection is a fundamental process for releasing magnetic energy in space physics and astrophysics. At present, the usual way to investigate the reconnection process is through analytical studies or first-principle numerical simulations. This paper is the first to understand the turbulent magnetic reconnection process by exploring the nature of magnetic turbulence. From the perspective of radio synchrotron polarization statistics, we study how to recover the properties of the turbulent magnetic field by considering the line of sight along different directions of the reconnection layer. We find that polarization intensity statistics can reveal the spectral properties of reconnection turbulence. This work opens up a new way of understanding turbulent magnetic reconnection.

Since synchrotron polarization fluctuations are related to the fundamental properties of the magnetic field, we propose the polarization intensity variance to measure the Galactic interstellar medium (ISM) magnetization. We confirm the method’s applicability by comparing it with the polarization angle dispersion and its reliability by measuring the underlying Alfvénic Mach number of magnetohydrodynamic turbulence. With the finding of the power-law relation of ${ \mathcal A }\propto {M}_{{\rm{A}}}^{2}$ between polarization intensity variance ${ \mathcal A }$ and Alfvénic Mach number M _A , we apply the new technique to the Canadian Galactic Plane Survey data, achieving the Alfvénic Mach number of the Galactic ISM. Our results show that the low-latitude Galactic ISM is dominated by sub-Alfénic turbulence, with M _A approximately between 0.5 and 1.0.

The spikelet number per spike (SNS) contributes greatly to grain yield in wheat. Identifying various genes that control wheat SNS is vital for yield improvement. This study used a recombinant inbred line population genotyped by the Wheat55K single-nucleotide polymorphism array to identify two major and stably expressed quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for SNS. One of them (QSns.sau-2SY-2D.1) was reported previously, while the other (QSns.sau-2SY-7A) was newly detected and further analyzed in this study. QSns.sau-2SY-7A had a high LOD value ranging from 4.46 to 16.00 and explained 10.21–40.78% of the phenotypic variances. QSns.sau-2SY-7A was flanked by the markers AX-110518554 and AX-110094527 in a 4.75-cM interval on chromosome arm 7AL. The contributions and interactions of both major QTLs were further analyzed and discussed. The effect of QSns.sau-2SY-7A was successfully validated by developing a tightly linked kompetitive allele specific PCR marker in an F2:3 population and a panel of 101 high-generation breeding wheat lines. Furthermore, several genes including the previously reported WHEAT ORTHOLOG OF APO1 (WAPO1), an ortholog of the rice gene ABERRANT PANICLE ORGANIZATION 1 (APO1) related to SNS, were predicted in the interval of QSns.sau-2SY-7A. In summary, these results revealed the genetic basis of the multi-spikelet genotype of wheat line 20828 and will facilitate subsequent fine mapping and breeding utilization of the major QTLs.

Abstract Interleukin 37 (IL‐37), a member of the IL‐1 family, is considered a suppressor of innate and adaptive immunity and, hence is a regulator of tumor immunity. However, the specific molecular mechanism and role of IL‐37 in skin cancer remain unclear. Here, we report that IL‐37b‐transgenic mice (IL‐37tg) treated with the carcinogenic 7,12‐dimethylbenzoanthracene (DMBA)/12‐o‐tetradecylphorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA) exhibited enhanced skin cancer and increased tumor burden in the skin by inhibiting the function of CD103+ dendritic cells (DCs). Notably, IL‐37 induced rapid phosphorylation of adenosine 5‘‐monophosphate (AMP)‐activated protein kinase (AMPK), and via single immunoglobulin IL‐1‐related receptor (SIGIRR), inhibited the long‐term Akt activation. Specifically, by affecting the SIGIRR‐AMPK‐Akt signaling axis, which is related to the regulation of glycolysis in CD103+DCs, IL‐37 inhibited their anti‐tumor function. Our results show that a marked correlation between the CD103+DC signature (IRF8, FMS‐like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand, CLEC9A, CLNK, XCR1, BATF3, and ZBTB46) and chemokines C‐X‐C motif chemokine ligand 9, CXCL10, and CD8A in a mouse model with DMBA/TPA‐induced skin cancer. In a word, our results highlight that IL‐37 as an inhibitor of tumor immune surveillance through modulating CD103+DCs and establishing an important link between metabolism and immunity as a therapeutic target for skin cancer.

Based on adopting the global super-efficiency slacks-based measure (GSSBM) model to calculate green innovation efficiency (GIE), this paper systematically investigates GIE’s overall difference, distribution dynamics and convergence trends in eight national urban agglomerations (UAs) of China from 2004 to2018 by combining the methods of Dagum Gini Coefficient (DGC), Kernel Density Estimation (KDE), Variation Coefficient (VC), fixed-effect model (FEM) and spatial Durbin model (SDM). The results show that: (1) the average GIE of eight UAs was 0.632 during 2004–2018, which is generally low and has substantial potential for improvement, and seven of them achieved positive growth with an annual average growth rate of 2.70%. (2) The overall difference of GIE within eight UAs was significant with the inter-UA difference as the main contributor. (3) The distribution curves of GIE in eight UAs were distinct in terms of location, form, ductility and polarization trend. (4) Besides five UAs presenting significant σ convergence characteristics, all eight UAs displayed significant absolute or conditional β convergence trends with different speeds and cycles. The findings of this paper can provide important insights on the promotion of green innovation-driven development for UAs in China.

TP53 is the most frequently mutated gene in muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) and there are two gene signatures regarding TP53 developed for MIBC prognosis. However, they are limited to immune genes only and unable to be used individually across platforms due to their quantitative manners. We used 827 gene expression profiles from seven MIBC cohorts with varied platforms to build a pairwise TP53-derived transcriptome signature, 13 gene pairs (13-GPs). Since the 13-GPs model is a single sample prognostic predictor, it can be applied individually in practice and is applicable to any gene-expression platforms without specific normalization requirements. Survival difference between high-risk and low-risk patients stratified by the 13-GPs test was statistically significant (HR range: 2.26–2.76, all P

Based on employing the global super efficiency epsilon-based measure (GSE-EBM) model to evaluation the green innovation efficiency (GIE) of 285 prefecture-level or above cities in China during the period 2004–2018, this paper combines the approaches of kernel density estimation, cold hot spot analysis and standard deviation ellipse to intuitively describe GIE’s spatiotemporal pattern evolution features, and then utilizes the geographical weighted regression (GWR) model to explore the spatial heterogeneity of GIE’s affecting factors. The results show that: (1) China’s urban GIE displayed a fluctuating increasing trend, revealing clearly regional disparities, and gradually decreased from the Eastern coastal region to the Central, the Western and the Northeast region. (2) The spatial difference of China’s urban GIE exhibited the characteristics of expansion, polarization, and spatial agglomeration with the center of gravity gradually shifting to the Southeast region. (3) In the analysis of socio-economic factors of China’s urban GIE, the GWR model effectively identified the spatial heterogeneity, and improved the explanatory ability compared to ordinary least squares (OLS) model. (4) The GWR model analysis indicate that population density, economic development, transportation infrastructure, openness and industrial structure played significant impacts on China’s urban GIE, and there exists significant spatial heterogeneity in the impact of each influencing factor. The findings of this study can provide valuable references for urban green transformation and high-quality development in China.

Based on the Guangzhou Business Center project, a typical super high-rise building with an asymmetric plan, taking the construction speed, closure time of mega braces and belt trusses as influencing factors, a parametric analysis on its lateral and vertical deformations, as well as the maximum stress of key structural members was conducted. The analysis results indicated that the construction speed had a relatively small impact on the deformation and the maximum stress of key members. However, synchronous closure of belt truss compared with the delayed closure would result in smaller horizontal and vertical deformation differences, as well as the stress of belt truss. Meanwhile, the closure timing of the mega braces had little influence on the vertical deformation difference and the stress of belt truss. And the earlier the closure, the smaller the horizontal drift ratio, the greater the maximum stress of the mega braces. Further, deformation control measurements were brought forward. On the one hand, FEM simulation was carried out according to the above construction suggestions. On the other hand, real-time monitoring was also used. Finally, by comparing both results, proposed construction deformation control measures and simulation methods were verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the effect of external diaphragmatic pacing (EDP) combined with inspiratory muscle training on respiratory function in post-stroke patients. Patients with stroke were enrolled from the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University in China between 2021 and 2022. The patients were randomized into an EDP treatment group (control group) or an EDP treatment plus inspiratory muscle training group (experimental group). Each therapy was administered once a day for 6 days per week. The peak inspiratory flow (PIF), maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC% ratio, and diaphragm thickness and mobility were measured and compared between the two groups after 4 weeks. After 4 weeks of intervention, respiratory muscle function indicators including PIF (95% CI: 0.21–1.28, p = 0.008) and MIP (95% CI: 6.92–25.44, p = 0.001) significantly improved in the experimental group. Diaphragmatic thickness also significantly increased in the experimental group (p < 0.05), while diaphragmatic excursion showed no significant difference between the two groups. Additionally, FVC (95% CI: 0.14–1.14, p = 0.013) and FEV1 (95% CI: 0.20–1.06, p = 0.005) demonstrated a significant increase in the experimental group, whereas FEV1/FVC% (95% CI: −0.84 to 9.36, p = 0.099) exhibited no significant group difference. EDP combined with inspiratory muscle training in individuals with stroke provides greater benefits than EDP alone in terms of respiratory function recovery, except for the parameters of diaphragmatic excursion and FEV1/FVC%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites have many advantages, and have been widely used in aerospace structures, buildings, bridges, etc. The analysis of dynamic response characteristics of CFRP composite structures is of great significance for promoting the development of smart composite structures. For this reason, vibration experiments of CFRP laminates with surface-attached fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors under various dynamic loading conditions were carried out. Time- and frequency-domain analyses were conducted on the FBG testing signals to check the dynamic characteristics of the CFRP structure and the sensing performance of the installed sensors. The results show that the FBG sensors attached to the surface of the CFRP laminates can accurately measure the dynamic response and determine the excited position of the CFRP laminates, as well as invert the strain distribution of the CFRP laminates through the FBG sensors at different positions. By performing Fourier transform, short-time Fourier transform, and frequency domain decomposition (FDD) on the FBG sensing signals, the time–frequency information and the first eight modal frequencies of the excited CFRP structure can be obtained. The modal frequencies obtained by different excitation types are similar, which can be used for structural damage identification. The research in this paper clarifies the effectiveness and accuracy of FBG sensors in sensing the dynamic characteristics of CFRP structures, which can be used for performance evaluation of CFRP structures and will effectively promote the design and development of intelligent composite material structures.

Ni-supported SBA-15 catalysts were prepared by physical mixing of Ni(NO3)2·6H2O and SBA-15 (Ni/SBA-15-M) and in the presence of citric acid as the complexing agent (Ni/SBA-15-M-C). Moreover, an Ni-supported SBA-15 catalyst was also prepared by the conventional incipient impregnation method (Ni/SBA-15-I). All the catalysts were systematically evaluated for carbon dioxide reforming of methane (CDR) at CO2/CH4 = 1.0, gas hourly space velocity of 60,000 mL·g−1·h−1, and reaction temperature of 700 °C. The characterization results show that the Ni particle size of Ni/SBA-15-M-C is significantly smaller than that of Ni/SBA-15-M due to the coordination effect of citric acid and Ni2+. Consequently, the Ni/SBA-15-M-C exhibits superior anti-coking and anti-sintering during the CDR-operated period because of the higher Ni dispersion and stronger Ni–support interaction. Compared to the Ni/SBA-15-I, the physical mixing of nickel salt and mesoporous material for preparing of Ni-based catalyst is easy to operate, although the crystal size and catalytic performance of Ni/SBA-15-C are very similar to that of Ni/SBA-15-M-I. Thus, the efficient and easily controlled catalyst structure makes the physical mixing strategy very promising for preparing highly active and stable CDR catalysts.