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Nano-CaCO3 and styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer （SBS） were used as additives to prepare nano-CaCO3/SBS composite modified asphalt. The optimum amount of admixture was determined by testing basic physical properties, the performance and micro morphology of asphalt were investigated by rheological property and segregation test, fluorescence microscope observation and thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed that the best proportion of the two admixtures was 5% （mass fraction, the same below） of nano-CaCO3 and 4% of SBS. After adding SBS into nano-CaCO3 modified asphalt, the viscosity of the composite modified asphalt increased at different temperatures, high temperature rutting resistance and low-temperature performance was significantly improved, and storage stability was good. Nano-CaCO3 molecule, SBS molecule and matrix asphalt molecule had good compatibility, and the thermal stability of asphalt was enhanced because of the composite modification.

Abstract Background Endometrial fibrosis caused by intrauterine adhesion (IUA) can lead to hypomenorrhea, amenorrhea, and even infertility and abortion. The postoperative recurrence rate of severe IUA remains high, giving rise to low pregnancy rates. An extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffold, a new biological material that can promote cell proliferation and differentiation at lesions, has been widely used in general surgery and neurosurgery. The present study applied ECM scaffolds in obstetrics and gynecology for the first time to improve endometrial fibrosis, repair severe IUA, and improve pregnancy outcomes for infertile patients. Methods This paper presents a prospective randomized single-blind controlled superiority study of infertile women aged ≤40 years with IUA. According to the scoring criteria for IUA established by the American Fertility Society, patients with moderate or severe IUA were randomized into two groups at a ratio of 1:1; patients in the experimental group were treated with an ECM scaffold (small intestinal submucosa [SIS]) + intrauterine balloon, while patients in the control group were treated with an intrauterine balloon only. A hysteroscopic examination of adhesion repair was performed again after 2 months of postoperative hormone replacement therapy. Endometrial tissue was sampled during the two operations, and immunohistochemistry was used to observe endometrial and microvascular proliferation. After thawing and resuscitation, a postoperative frozen embryo transfer was performed on the participants in both groups, and their endometrial thickness, intrauterine volume, endometrial vascularization flow index, endometrial flow index, and uterine artery blood flow resistance were evaluated by 3D ultrasonography. The rates of embryo implantation, clinical pregnancy, and early spontaneous abortion were observed. Discussion The ECM scaffold (SIS) + intrauterine balloon method was able to repair endometrial fibrosis and improve IUA. This new technique represents a novel treatment method for improving the pregnancy outcome of infertile patients with moderate/severe IUA. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Register ChiCTR2100052027 . Registered on October 14, 2021.

Using historical data, long-term variations in pollutant sources and water quality in China’s coastal waters over the last three decades are reviewed. The results show that the total area of non-clean water, which reflects state of total water quality, increased rapidly before 2000, but then underwent two stages of decline, with a modest decline by one-quarter between 2001 and 2015, followed by a sharp decline of more than half of that in 2015 since then. Consequently, water quality at present is better than it was at the beginning of the 1990s. The total area of polluted water fluctuated without any trend from the end of the 1990s until 2015, but has declined sharply by nearly two-thirds since 2015, indicating that the water quality in China’s coastal seas has improved substantially. Geographically, the Bohai Sea was the first to see a turning point in water quality, followed by the Yellow Sea and East China Sea, while the South China Sea was the last. The main pollutants that govern the water quality grade and area are dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphate as well as petroleum hydrocarbons. As a response to variations in water quality, changes in both the frequency and total area affected by harmful algal blooms were similar to those of water quality over the last three decades, albeit with a slight lag. Analysis showed that variations in water quality were closely related to the land- and sea-sourced pollutant inputs. The combination of shift in the mode of economic growth from high-speed growth to high-quality development and the enforcement of the new, strictest ever Environmental Protection Law resulted in a significant decline of pollutant emissions, inducing a turning point in the water quality in the coastal seas of China in the mid-2010s.

Abstract Recently, ion conductors have been extensively explored in various fields due to their flexibility, sensitivity, and conductivity. However, ultrastretchable and self‐healing ion conductors with wide sensing ranges and high sensitivity are rarely reported. In this study, dialcohol cellulose nanocrystals (DCNCs) are successfully fabricated by sequential periodate oxidization and reduction and introduced them into polymerizable deep eutectic solvents (PDES) to prepare nanocomposite ion conductors. Due to the high dispersity of DCNCs in PDES, the obtained ion conductors exhibit improved tensile strain (3869 ± 607.21%) and tensile stress (0.220 ± 0.022 MPa) simultaneously, and display self‐healing ability in terms of both electrical and mechanical properties. In addition, the ion conductors are able to detect human motions by transmitting deformation into resistance signals even after self‐healing, which prolongs the service life. Generally, this study paves the way for the design of self‐healing and stretchable ion conductors for wearable electronics.

Background: As distinct marker of proliferating cells, chromatin assembly factor-1 (CAF-1) was critical in DNA replication. However, there is paucity information about the clinical significance, functions and co-expressed gene network of CHAF1A, the major subunit in CAF-1, in cancer.Methods: Bioinformatic analysis of CHAF1A and its co-expression gene network were performed using various public databases. Functional validation of CHAF1A was applied in breast cancer.Results: Overexpression of CHAF1A was found in 20 types of cancer tissues. Elevated expression of CHAF1A was positively correlated with breast cancer progression and poor patients’ outcome. The analysis of co-expression gene network demonstrated CHAF1A was associated with not only cell proliferation, DNA repair, apoptosis, but cancer metabolism, immune system, and drug resistance. More importantly, higher expression of CHAF1A was positively correlated with immunosuppressive microenvironment and resistance to endocrine therapy and chemotherapy. Elevated expression of CHAF1A was confirmed in breast cancer tissues. Silencing of CHAF1A can significantly inhibit cell proliferation in MDA-MB-231 cells.Conclusion: The current work suggested that overexpression of CHAF1A can be used as diagnostic and poor prognostic biomarker of breast cancer. Higher expression of CHAF1A induced fast resistance to endocrine therapy and chemotherapy, it may be a promising therapeutic target and a biomarker to predict the sensitivity of immunotherapy in breast cancer.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mPCNL) with vacuum suction sheath in the treatment of renal calculi. Methods: We collected relevant studies of vacuum suction sheath and non-vacuum sheath mPCNL from PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for a meta-analysis following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Results: 7 studies were included (4 randomized controlled studies, 3 retrospective studies involving 1803 patients). The final meta-analysis results showed that the operative time (Standardised Mean Difference [SMD] = −0.84, 95% CI [-1.20; −0.48], P

The classification and name of current observation methods are nonstandard used and non-uniform classified in some professional terms. By referring to the national standards, industry norms and relevant literature, combining with the observation principle, development, application, typical equipment, advantages and disadvantages, the current observation methods were divided into four categories: floating method, fixed-point measurement, aerial measurement and surface remote sensing measurement. Finally, the current observation methods were sorted out and analyzed to provide reference for the industry.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is one of the most toxic and harmful fungal toxins to humans and animals, and the fundamental way to prevent its entry into humans is to detect its presence in advance. In this paper, the monoclonal antibody mAbA2-2 was obtained via three-step sample amplification and multi-concentration standard detection using a subcloning method based on the limited dilution method with AFB1 as the target. A dynamic and pseucdo-homogeneous magnetic beads enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (MBs-icELISA) was established using the prepared antibody as the recognition element and immunomagnetic beads as the antigen carrier. The MBs-icELISA showed good linear correlation in the concentration range of 0.004–10 ng/mL with R2 = 0.99396. The limit of detection (LOD) of the MBs-icELISA for AFB1 was 0.0013 ng/mL. This new ELISA strategy significantly shortened AFB1 detection time through improved sensitivity compared to the conventional ELISA method.

AIM: To assess the predictive value of baseline parameters of ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) for angle widening after prophylactic laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) in patients with primary angle-closure suspect (PACS). METHODS: Angle-opening distance (AOD), trabecular iris angle (TIA), iris thickness, trabecular-ciliary process angle, and trabecular-ciliary process distance were measured using UBM performed before and two weeks after LPI. Iris convexity (IC), iris insertion, angulation, and ciliary body (CB) size and position were graded. Uni- and multivariate regression analyses were used to determine factors predicting the change in AOD (ΔAOD500, calculated as an angle width change before and after LPI) in all quadrants and in subgroup quadrants based on IC. RESULTS: In 94 eyes of 94 patients with PACS, LPI led to angle widening with increases in AOD500 and TIA (P

The polar regions is one of the most sensitive areas to the response and feedback of global climate change and environmental pollution because of its unique geographical location and natural conditions, and occupies an important position in the study of global climate change and environmental pollution. As a new type of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), HBCDs has been widely concerned by the international society in recent years. This paper focused on the characteristics and summarized the research on HBCDs in polar regions and middle and low latitudes in recent years. The occurrence levels of HBCDs in the atmosphere, water, soil, sediment, vegetation and biology in the polar environment were compared and analyzed. The differences in the concentration distribution of their isomers in the multi-media were discussed and the possible reasons were explained. The important significance of HBCD’pollution prevention and its further environmental behavior research on human health and ecological environment security were also demonstrated.

In this paper, couple-group consensus is investigated for a kind of heterogeneous multi-agent systems (HMASs) with Markov switching. Some novel couple-group consensuses have been proposed, in which cooperative-competitive interaction, Markov switching and time delay are all considered. For Markov switching, the transitive rate of probability can be divided into two cases: known or partly known. Based on stochastic delta operator, probability, graph and stability theories, the leader-following and pinning couple-group consensus of this system be converted into analyzing the stability of related switching delta operator system. In the obtained results, some conservative conditions, such as the balance of in or out degree, strong connectivity and containing a spanning tree, can be longer strictly demanded. Some numerical examples are given to show the validity of the acquired results.

The traditional speeded-up robust features (SURF) algorithm has certain stability in scale, rotation, illumination and other changes. However, this algorithm has problems such as large amount of computation, low matching accuracy, and time-consuming in feature extraction and feature matching. An improved adaptive ORB-SURF image matching algorithm is proposed in this paper. Fusing edge features and using improved Oriented FAST and Rotated BRIEF (ORB) algorithms are used by this algorithm to extract image feature points. Moreover, SURF descriptors are used by feature points for feature description. Then an improved fast library for approximate nearest neighbors (FLANN) algorithm was used for adaptive feature matching. The random sample consensus (RANSAC) algorithm is used to eliminate the false matching point pairs after the selected points to be matched. Finally, the excellent matching point pairs reserved by the adaptive FLANN algorithm are combined with the excellent matching point pairs reserved by the RANSAC algorithm to complete the matching. The experimental results show that the average accuracy of the improved algorithm can reach more than 98%, which is about 6% higher than the original SURF algorithm. And the average matching time is 1.2S, which is about 25% lower than the original SURF algorithm. It is worth mentioning that the problem that the original SURF algorithm cannot predict the number of feature points through Hessian threshold is solved by this algorithm. Moreover, compared with the SuperPoint based deep learning image matching algorithm, the image matching time of this algorithm is reduced by 80%.

Abstract Nitrate is an important source of nitrogen and also acts as a signaling molecule to trigger numerous physiological, growth, and developmental processes throughout the life of the plant. Many nitrate transporters, transcription factors, and protein kinases participate in the regulation of nitrate signaling. Here, we identified a gene encoding the chrysanthemum calcineurin B-like interacting protein kinase CmCIPK23, which participates in nitrate signaling pathways. In Arabidopsis, overexpression of CmCIPK23 significantly decreased lateral root number and length and primary root length compared to the WT when grown on modified Murashige and Skoog medium with KNO3 as the sole nitrogen source (modified MS). The expression of nitrate-responsive genes differed significantly between CmCIPK23-overexpressing Arabidopsis (CmCIPK23-OE) and the WT after nitrate treatment. Nitrate content was significantly lower in CmCIPK23-OE roots, which may have resulted from reduced nitrate uptake at high external nitrate concentrations (≥ 1 mM). Nitrate reductase activity and the expression of nitrate reductase and glutamine synthase genes were lower in CmCIPK23-OE roots. We also found that CmCIPK23 interacted with the transcription factor CmTGA1, whose Arabidopsis homolog regulates the nitrate response. We inferred that CmCIPK23 overexpression influences root development on modified MS medium, as well as root nitrate uptake and assimilation at high external nitrate supply. These findings offer new perspectives on the mechanisms by which the chrysanthemum CBL interacting protein kinase CmCIPK23 influences nitrate signaling.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide with an increasing incidence in many countries. There were few studies on arterial and venous thromboembolism (ATE/VTE) in patients with metastatic lung cancer. Our study focused on the clinical characteristics of stage IV lung cancer patients with ATE or VTE to further explore the risk factors and prognosis. Patients diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer were enrolled from January 2011 to June 2019 at a tertiary hospital in Jiangyin, China. Log-rank test was used to reveal the survival for patients with ATE or VTE. Univariable analysis and multivariable logistic regression were used to study the risk factors for ATE. A total of 587 patients were enrolled in our study, including 52 patients with VTE and 48 with ATE. ATE occurred earlier than VTE. Patients with ATE had a worse prognosis. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that older age and a history of hypertension were independent risk factors for ATE. Patients with metastatic lung cancer were at high risk of VTE and ATE. ATE occurred earlier and was associated with a worse prognosis. Attention should be paid to metastatic lung cancer patients who may develop thromboembolism, especially ATE.

Abstract Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common, chronic, and highly disabling autoimmune disease characterized by difficult treatment, long disease duration, and easy recurrence. The development and application of high‐sensitivity theranostic probes for RA that will facilitate precise monitoring of disease progression and enable effective treatment are currently hotspots in the field of RA theranostics. In this study, mZMI@HA, a dual‐triggered theranostics nanoprobe, is constructed based on near‐infrared persistent luminescence nanoparticles (NIR‐PLNPs) for precise RA treatment and therapeutic evaluation. This is the first reported use of high‐sensitivity autofluorescence‐free imaging based on NIR‐PLNPs for precise RA treatment and therapeutic evaluation. Compared with the NIR fluorescence imaging probe‐indocyanine green, the signal‐to‐background ratio of persistent luminescence (PersL) imaging is improved nearly 14‐fold. Using PersL imaging to guide photothermal therapy and controllable drug release through NIR/pH‐responsiveness, the progress of collagen‐induced RA is relieved. Additionally, the therapeutic evaluation of RA by PersL imaging is consistent with clinical micro‐computed tomography and histological analyses. This study demonstrates the potential of NIR‐PLNPs for high‐sensitivity imaging‐guided RA treatment, providing a new strategy for RA precise theranostics.

ObjectiveAbnormal contraction of uterus and vascular smooth muscle lead to the formation of hypoxia environment in uterus. Abnormal contraction may be the basis of dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, infertility and other diseases. Phloroglucinol is a non-atropine and non-papaverine smooth muscle spasmolytic agent, which can reduce the abnormal contraction of uterine smooth muscle. This study investigated the effect of phloroglucinol on frozen embryo transfer in patients with endometriosis.MethodsThe data of patients with endometriosis who underwent a frozen embryo transfer in Shanghai Changzheng Hospital from August 2018 to August 2021, comprising a total of 453 cycles, were retrospectively analyzed. The patients for whom phloroglucinol was included over 217 cycles were administered intramuscully 40 mg phloroglucinol starting on the day of progesterone administration, then once daily up to day 7 after the embryo transfer. Those for whom phloroglucinol was not administered over 236 cycles were used as the control group. The age of 35 years was used as a boundary in this study to observe the pregnancy outcomes of patients in the two different age groups.ResultsThe biochemical pregnancy rate (63.13% vs. 51.27%), embryo implantation rate (44.64% vs. 33.60%), clinical pregnancy rate (59.64% vs. 48.30%), and live birth rate (52.99% vs. 36.86%) after the administration of phloroglucinol were higher than for patients in the control group, and the early abortion rate (7.75% vs. 20.18%) was also lower. The differences were statistically significant (P 0.05).ConclusionContinuous low-dose phloroglucinol pretreatment before and after frozen embryo transfer can improve both the clinical pregnancy and live birth rates and reduce the risk of abortion in younger infertile patients with endometriosis.

Abstract Coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CAD) is a chronic disease caused by multiple risk factors. Aberrant expression of long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been regarded as an independent risk factor of CAD. This study evaluated lncRNA myocardial infarction‐associated transcription (MIAT) expression in CAD patients and its clinical significance. Totally, 155 CAD patients and 76 non‐CAD controls were enrolled. MIAT expression was detected using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The clinical diagnostic significance of MIAT was evaluated by plotting the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The levels of inflammatory cytokines were detected using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. microRNA (miR)‐29b‐3p expression and pregnancy‐associated plasma protein A (PAPPA) level were detected. MIAT expression in CAD patients (4.23 [1.22–6.50]) was higher than that in non‐CAD controls (1.64 [0.05–2.93]) (p

Abstract Background This study aimed to explore the associations of thyroid hormones with body fat content and lipid metabolism in euthyroid male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods In January 2017, a cross sectional study, 66 male patients with T2DM who met the World Health Organization diagnostic criteria of 1999 who were ≥ 18.0 years and had normal thyroid function were recruited at a tertiary hospital. The categories of thyroid hormones (free triiodothyronine [FT3], free thyroxine [FT4], and thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH]) were divided into three groups according to tertiles of thyroid hormones. Results The mean FT3, FT4, and TSH of the patients were 2.56 pg/mL, 1.03 ng/dL, and 1.50 μIU/mL, respectively. Increased FT3 were associated with higher body mass index (BMI) (P

Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (P. lactiflora) is a famous ornamental plant with showy and colorful flowers that has been domesticated in China for 4,000 years. However, the genetic basis of phenotypic variation and genealogical relationships in P. lactiflora population is poorly understood due to limited genetic information, which brings about bottlenecks in the application of effective and efficient breeding strategies. Understanding the genetic basis of color-related traits is essential for improving flower color by marker-assisted selection (MAS). In this study, a high throughput sequencing of 99 diploid P. lactiflora accessions via specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq) technology was performed. In total, 4,383,645 SLAF tags were developed from 99 P. lactiflora accessions with an average sequencing depth of 20.81 for each SLAF tag. A total of 2,954,574 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified from all SLAF tags. The population structure and phylogenetic analysis showed that P. lactiflora population used in this study could be divided into six divergent groups. Through association study using Mixed linear model (MLM), we further identified 40 SNPs that were significantly positively associated with petal color. Moreover, a derived cleaved amplified polymorphism (dCAPS) marker that was designed based on the SLAF tag 270512F co-segregated with flower colors in P. lactiflora population. Taken together, our results provide valuable insights into the application of MAS in P. lactiflora breeding programs.

With the acceleration in globalization, cities have tended to become similar, and commercial districts have gradually lost their local characteristics. Hence, utilizing scientific means to assess human perceptions of traditional and modern districts in an objective manner, this study applies the electroencephalography (EEG) test and the Semantic Differential (SD) method to evaluate the external space perceptions of traditional and modern commercial districts. The results show that the alpha wave mean value of traditional samples is greater than that of modern samples among all electrodes, and most electrodes demonstrate a significant difference. Meanwhile, the alpha wave energy value of a single electrode of different subjects is mostly larger in the traditional samples, meaning that traditional districts can lead to an increase in the brain’s alpha waves. In addition, the SD results show that traditional samples make people feel more comfortable and relaxed; regarding the cultural atmosphere, they are more abundant in detail and distinct; regarding open and closed spaces, they are more closed and covert. The results also show that the electroencephalography (EEG) test can be applied to an evaluation of environmental perception to boost sustainable development of traditional commercial districts and offer more possibilities for future design.

Abstract The fluorescent functional material prepared by combining 16‐alkyl (ferrocenyl‐methyl) ammonium bromide (Fc16AB) and dye molecule Congo red (CR) via ionic self‐assembly strategy exhibits double stimuli‐responsive behavior triggered by redox and pH value. Both the fabrication and switching mechanism of aggregates are proposed according to the cooperative binding of noncovalent interactions, including π‐π stacking, electrostatic interactions, charge transfer interaction, and amphiphilic hydrophobic association. The optimal geometry and energy transfer between monomers and aggregate are studied by means of quantum chemistry calculation and wavefunction analysis, which provides a deep and theoretical understanding for formation mechanism of ionic self‐assemblies. Moreover, the fluorescent switching behavior of assemblies upon pH was studied in detail, which opens the new way for the construction of organic light‐emitting diode (OLED).

The incidence of kidney stones averages 10%, and the recurrence rate of kidney stones is approximately 10% at 1 year, 35% at 5 years, 50% at 10 years, and 75% at 20 years. However, there is currently a lack of good medicines for the prevention and treatment of kidney stones. Osteopontin (OPN) is an important protein in kidney stone formation, but its role is controversial, with some studies suggesting that it inhibits stone formation, while other studies suggest that it can promote stone formation. OPN is a highly phosphorylated protein, and with the deepening of research, there is growing evidence that it promotes stone formation, and the phosphorylated protein is believed to have adhesion effect, promote stone aggregation and nucleation. In addition, OPN is closely related to immune cell infiltration, such as OPN as a pro-inflammatory factor, which can activate mast cells (degranulate to release various inflammatory factors), macrophages (differentiated into M1 macrophages), and T cells (differentiated into T1 cells) etc., and these inflammatory cells play a role in kidney damage and stone formation. In short, OPN mainly exists in the phosphorylated form in kidney stones, plays an important role in the formation of stones, and may be an important target for drug therapy of kidney stones.

Aeolian sandy soil is a key resource for supporting food production on a global scale; however, the growth of crops in Aeolian sandy soil is often impaired due to its poor physical properties and lack of nutrients and organic matter. Biochar can be used to enhance the properties of Aeolian sandy soil and create an environment more suitable for crop growth, but the long-term effects of biochar on Aeolian sandy soil and microbial communities need to be clarified. Here, a field experiment was conducted in which biochar was applied to a maize (Zea mays L.) field in a single application at different rates: CK, 0 Mg ha−1; C1, 15.75 Mg ha−1; C2, 31.50 Mg ha−1; C3, 63.00 Mg ha−1; and C4, 126.00 Mg ha−1. After 7 years of continuous maize cropping, verify the relationship between root architecture and soil microbial communities under biochar application using a root scanner and 16S/ITS rRNA gene sequencing. The application of biochar promoted the growth of maize. Specifically, total root length, total root surface area, total root volume, and root biomass were 13.99–17.85, 2.52–4.69, 23.61–44.41, and 50.61–77.80% higher in treatments in which biochar was applied (C2, C3, and C4 treatments) compared with the control treatment, respectively. Biochar application increased the diversity of bacterial communities, the ACE index, and Chao 1 index of C1, C2, C3, and C4 treatments increased by 5.83–8.96 and 5.52–8.53%, respectively, compared with the control treatment, and significantly changed the structure of the of bacterial communities in rhizosphere soil. However, there was no significant change in the fungal community. The growth of maize roots was more influenced by rhizosphere bacteria and less by fungal community. A microbial co-occurrence network revealed strong associations among rhizosphere microorganisms. The core taxa (Module hubs taxa) of the bulk soil microbial co-occurrence network were closely related to the total length and total surface area of maize roots, and the core taxa (Connectors taxa) of the rhizosphere soil were closely related to total root length. Overall, our findings indicate that the application of biochar promotes the growth of maize roots in aeolian sandy soil through its effects on bacterial communities in rhizosphere soil.

Objective To analyze the prevalence of anemia in preschool children in Bincheng District of Binzhou city and its influencing factors, so as to provide reference for formulating new measures to prevent anemia in children. Methods The health examination results of 10 674 children aged 3~6 from multiple kindergartens in Bincheng District in 2020 were collected, and anemia prevalence was investigated by analyzing the blood routine indicators. Results The incidence of anemia in 10 674 children was 1.95%, with 1.86%(100/5 375)in boys and 2.04%(108/5 299)in girls(P>0.05), with 3.06%(44/1 439)vs 2.93%(43/1 468), 1.79%(37/2 071)vs 2.04%(43/2 107)and 1.02%(19/1 865)vs1.28%(22/1 724)in boys and girls aged 3, 4 and 5, respectively. No significant difference was noticed in anemia incidence between boys and girls in each age group(P>0.05), while significant difference laid between boys and girls among different age groups(P

Biochar applied to soil has been considered as an effective tool for mitigation of atmospheric carbon dioxide emission and enhancement of carbon storage in soil, which may also enhance soil quality. However, the effect of biochar aged for 5 years on the different carbon fractions and enzyme activities as well as its changes, is not well understood in the cropland sandy soil of northern China. Therefore, a field trial was carried out in 2014 with biochar applied once at 0, 5.25, 10.50, 21.00 and 42.00 g·kg−1 (BC0, BC1, BC2, BC3, and BC4, respectively). We evaluated the influence of biochar addition to the changes in soil organic carbon (SOC), labile carbon pools (readily oxidized carbon, dissolved organic carbon, and microbial biomass carbon) and enzyme activities (invertase, urease, and catalase). Biochar significantly increased SOC (122.00%) and altered the content of labile carbon (increased ROC, DOC and MBC by 71.29%, 10.35%, and 900.00%, respectively). Soil urease and invertase activities increased by 55.81% and 46.76%, respectively, with an increase in biochar application rate, but catalase activity significantly decreased by 31.79%. The values of the geometric means of labile carbon (0.88) and enzyme activities (2.39) for the BC3 treatment were higher than others, which indicated that the biochar application rate of 21.00 g·kg−1 is suggested for the sandy soil. Our results suggest that the application of biochar in sandy soil for five years increased soil carbon sequestration, changed enzyme activities and ameliorated soil quality.

Plants produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) to defend pathogens. To counteract this attack, certain pathogens express superoxide dismutases (SODs) to scavenge host-derived ROS. However, the roles of SODs in Verticillium dahliae, an important vascular pathogen, are not clear. Our previous study has shown that a putative extracellular SOD (VdSOD5) of V. dahliae is significantly induced by culturing in cotton tissues, suggesting that VdSOD5 may play an important role in host–pathogen interactions and virulence. Here, we showed that VdSOD5 encoded a superoxide dismutase with a cofactor copper-binding site and a functional signal peptide that can conduct protein secretion in an invertase-mutated yeast strain. The mutations in VdSOD5 (ΔVdSOD5) did not change the normal vegetative growth and conidial production but reduced the virulence of V. dahliae on susceptible host cotton. Further studies showed that the transcription of VdSOD5 was significantly up-regulated during the early stage of infection, and the loss-of-function of VdSOD5 decreased culture filtrate and fungal tissue SOD activities of V. dahliae by 74 and 28%, respectively. Compared to the wild-type strain Vd991, the ΔVdSOD5 showed the same sensitivity to the intracellular ROS generator menadione. Furthermore, nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) staining demonstrated that VdSOD5 functioned in the detoxification of superoxides generated by host roots during infection. These results suggest that VdSOD5 of V. dahliae is an important virulence factor, secreted out of cells to combat host-derived ROS.

Abstract Background Human-derived acellular dermal matrix (ADM) has been widely used as an effective alternative to autologous grafts in tympanoplasty. However, evidence of ADM as an alternative to autologous grafts in the repair of tympanic membrane (TM) perforation still lacks adequate empirical evidence. Objectives To determine the clinical safety and efficacy of human-derived ADM as TM graft material for tympanoplasty. Data sources The PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, EBSCO, Ovid, Scopus, and Web of Science databases and reference lists of the retrieved articles were searched, with no language restriction. Selection criteria All randomized controlled trials and retrospective cohort studies that compared the use of human-derived ADM and autologous grafts in tympanoplasty for TM perforation were included. Data collection and analysis Two review authors independently assessed risk of bias in the included studies and extracted data. The pooled results for continuous data were reported as a mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). For dichotomous data, odds risk (OR) with 95% CI was used. ChI2 statistic and Galbraith plots were used to assess the heterogeneity. Publication bias was assessed with a funnel plot and Egger’s test. Main results Five retrospective cohort studies and four randomized controlled studies with a total of 610 participants were included in the meta-analysis. No significant differences in graft success (OR: 0.71 [0.39, 1.29], p = 0.26), air-bone gap (ABG) reduction (MD: − 0.59 [− 3.81, 1.19], p = 0.51), or complications (OR: 1.23 [0.07, 20.64], p = 0.89) were found between the ADM group and autologous graft group. The use of ADM significantly shortened tympanoplasty surgery time (MD: − 16.14 [− 21.22, − 11.07], p

Abstract. Background:. Delivery room resuscitation assists preterm infants, especially extremely preterm infants (EPI) and extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWI), in breathing support, while it potentially exerts a negative impact on the lungs and outcomes of preterm infants. This study aimed to assess delivery room resuscitation and discharge outcomes of EPI and ELBWI in China. Methods:. The clinical data of EPI (gestational age [GA]

Abstract Multifunctional N6-methyladenosine (m6A) has been revealed to be an important epigenetic component in various physiological and pathological processes, but its role in female ovarian aging remains unclear. Thus, we demonstrated m6A demethylase FTO downregulation and the ensuing increased m6A in granulosa cells (GCs) of human aged ovaries, while FTO-knockdown GCs showed faster aging-related phenotypes mediated. Using the m6A-RNA-sequence technique (m6A-seq), increased m6A was found in the FOS-mRNA-3′UTR, which is suggested to be an erasing target of FTO that slows the degradation of FOS-mRNA to upregulate FOS expression in GCs, eventually resulting in GC-mediated ovarian aging. FTO acts as a senescence-retarding protein via m6A, and FOS knockdown significantly alleviates the aging of FTO-knockdown GCs. Altogether, the abovementioned results indicate that FTO in GCs retards FOS-dependent ovarian aging, which is a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target against ovarian aging and age-related reproductive diseases.

Eye-movement analysis was adopted to evaluate the visual perception of Chinese traditional commercial blocks, and the Chenghuangmiao block in Hefei, China, was selected as a typical case. Eye-movement data from 40 respondents viewing 14 sample pictures were recorded. The spatial elements of the sample pictures, including landmarks and commercial brands, were further extracted to analyze the visual characteristics of spatial elements and the factors that affect the respondents' perceptions of those elements. Then, the semantic differential method was used to analyze the relationship between visual preferences and psychological perceptions of spatial elements. Seventeen pairs of opposing adjectives were selected to score the intrinsic properties and visitors’ feelings of spaces. The software SPSS 22.0 was used to analyze these data. Results showed that distinctive spatial elements, such as street corridors, Ma Tau Walls, and various landmarks, were the most visually attractive. In addition, the location of a given element within a picture was an important factor affecting eye movements. On this basis, strategies for improving spatial-visual effects are proposed. The strategies include emphasizing the visual characteristics of different spatial elements, considering the overall layout of spatial elements, and creating diversified spaces based on different spatial categories.

Objective: To analyze the clinical features and genetic characteristics of two patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) and to review the relevant literature.Methods: The clinical data of two HHT patients admitted to the author’s hospital between April 2019 and February 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Meanwhile, the genetic analysis was performed with their consent.Results: The first patient was a 62-year-old woman who had been complaining of shortness of breath and fever for 20 days. Her previous medical history included brain abscess drainage and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for a pulmonary hemangioma. A right heart catheterization revealed no pulmonary arterial hypertension, and an abdominal enhanced magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple arteriovenous malformations in the liver. Her ACVRL1 heterozygous variants were discovered through whole-exon gene testing. The second case involved a 47-year-old woman who had been experiencing chest tightness for the past 2 years. Several years ago, she underwent brain abscess drainage and embolization of a pulmonary arteriovenous fistula. Ultrasound revealed generalized hepatic vascular dilation, and enhanced computed tomography revealed numerous pulmonary venous fistulas scattered in both lungs as well as multiple arteriovenous malformations in the liver. Her whole-exon gene testing revealed that she, like her son, had heterozygous ENG variants.Conclusion: HHT patients may experience infection, bleeding, dyspnea, and other symptoms. Imaging is important in disease diagnosis and management because early detection and treatment can prevent major complications and disability or even death.

The prevalence of liver disease has been increasing worldwide. Moreover, the burden of end-stage liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer, is high because of high mortality and suboptimal treatment. The pathological process of liver disease includes steatosis, hepatocyte death, and fibrosis, which ultimately lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Clinical and preclinical evidence indicates that non-neoplastic liver diseases, particularly cirrhosis, are major risk factors for liver cancer, although the mechanism underlying this association remains unclear. Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) are transcriptional activators that regulate organ size and cancer development. YAP and TAZ play important roles in liver development, regeneration, and homeostasis. Abnormal YAP and TAZ levels have also been implicated in non-neoplastic liver diseases (e.g., non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, liver injury, and liver fibrosis). Here, we review recent findings on the roles of YAP and TAZ in non-neoplastic liver diseases and discuss directions for future research. This review provides a basis for the study of non-neoplastic liver diseases.

BackgroundBrain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a candidate for susceptibility locus of Panic disorder (PD). However, the findings about the role of the BDNF Val66Met variant in PD were not consistent. Till now, the relationship between BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and anxiety-related traits in PD patients has been rarely explored. This study aimed to explore the relationship among BDNF Val66Met polymorphism, plasma BDNF level and anxiety-related trait in Chinese PD patients.MethodThis multi-center study included 116 PD patients and 99 health controls. We detected single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of BDNF rs6265 (Val66Met) and BDNF plasma level in the two groups. In addition, PD patients were administered the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Panic Disorder Severity Scale-Chinese Version (PDSS-CV) and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA-14). Quantitative comparison of the differences of BDNF concentration among subjects with different genotypes and association between BDNF Val66Met genotype and trait anxiety were performed.ResultsThere were no significant differences in the genotype frequency (p = 0.79) or allele frequency (p = 0.88) between PD patients and health controls. BDNF plasma levels of PD patients were significantly lower than those in control group (p = 0.003). BDNF plasma levels of the Met/Met genotype were significantly lower than those of Val/Met genotype in PD patients (p = 0.033). PD patients carried Met/Met genotype showed significantly higher scores in STAI trait compared to those carried Val/Val genotype (p = 0.045) and Val/Met genotype (p = 0.018). STAI trait scores of PD patients with agoraphobia were significantly higher than those of patients without agoraphobia (p < 0.05). The ANCOVA showed that the dependent variable STAI trait score was significantly affected by factor “genotype” (Val/Val, Val/Met, Met/Met, p = 0.029), and covariate “agoraphobia” (p = 0.008). In this model, 11.5% of the variance of the STAI trait score was explained by the BDNF genotype. Contrast analysis showed STAI trait scores of Met/Met subjects were significantly higher than those of Val/Met (p = 0.018) and Val/Val individuals (p = 0.045).ConclusionWe found that anxiety trait was associated with the BDNF polymorphism in PD patients. BDNF Met/Met genotype may decrease plasma BDNF level and increase trait anxiety in panic disorder.

A dual-target aptamer functionalized probes (DTAFP) was applied for the detection of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and zearalenone (ZEN) simultaneously, which has not been reported. Meanwhile, two functional materials for signal amplification of the DTAFP were synthesized: 1) a three-dimensional molybdenum disulfide-reduced graphene oxide (MoS2-rGO) as a favorable loading interface; 2) a double-probes gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) modified by Thionin (Thi) and 6-(Ferrocenyl) hexanethiol (FC6S) as distinguishable and non-interfering signals. Mycotoxins on the electrode surface release into solution under the function of the DTAFP, leading a reduction of the differential peak impulse in signal response. Under the optimum conditions, the aptasensor exhibited a detection range of 1.0 pg mL−1–100 ng mL−1 for AFB1 and ZEN, with no observable cross reactivity. In addition, the aptasensor performed excellent stability, reproducibility, specificity, and favorable recovery in the detection of edible oil. This work demonstrated a novel method for the construction of a simple, rapid, and sensitive aptasensor in the detection of multiple mycotoxins simultaneously.

The H2S and CO2 through absorption methods absorbed at low temperature and high pressure, while desorption was operated at high temperature and low pressure, presenting repeated lifting temperatures, that is, the cold fever. The captured CO2 required the further drying and compression to meet the requirements for transport and storage, existing repeated work. The cryogenic distillation used the difference of boiling point of IGCC syngas components to achieve H2S and CO2 removal through a range of multicompression, condensation and separation steps. The cryogenic distillation process was simulated by Aspen Plus, which removed water by flash, then H2S by desulfurization tower, and CO2 by decarburization tower. The tower parameters, such as reflux ratio, stage number and feed stage, were optimized to study their effect on H2S and CO2 removal rate. Under the optimal conditions, the simulated results of cryogenic distillation were compared with absorption methods (Rectisol, Selexol, Purisol and MDEA), it removed 85% of CO2 from the syngas, 98.2% of H2S and 100% of NH3 and could achieve the integration of carbon capture and storage without repeated work. The CO2 purity by cryogenic distillation process was as high as 99.94% to completely meet the requirements for transport and storage. It required no absorbent, hence avoiding solvent regeneration and loss. Its process was simple with two towers to achieve gas separation and reduce the operation cost. It is a potential to achieve H2S and CO2 removal from IGCC syngas with simple operation process and without repeated work and solvent consumption to reduce energy and cost.

Abstract Background The aim was to explore the associations between clinical symptoms, demographic variables, social and neurocognitive functioning in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder (BD) stratified by subgroups of DSM-IV BD (type I (BD-I) and type II (BD-II)) and occupational status (employed/unemployed), and to highlight the significance of occupational status when assessing social and neurocognitive functioning in euthymic BD patients. Methods A total of 81 euthymic BD patients were participated in the study. The severity of the depressive and manic/hypomanic symptoms was measured using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17) and the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), respectively. Social functioning and neurocognitive functioning were evaluated by the Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST) and neurocognitive measures, respectively. Results Employed BD patients displayed greater social functioning (autonomy, occupational functioning, interpersonal relationship domain) and better verbal learning performance and speed of processing than unemployed BD patients. The correlation between neurocognitive functioning and social functioning was stronger in the employed group than in the unemployed group. There were no significant differences in neurocognitive and social functioning between the BD-I and BD-II groups, and the correlation between neurocognitive functioning and social functioning was similar between the BD-I and BD-II groups. Conclusion Employed BD patients may present greater occupational functioning and interpersonal relationships, as well as better verbal learning performance and speed of processing.

Objectives: To examine the relationship between cardiovascular disease risk factors and frailty in a sample of older Chinese adults. Methods: A total of 458 community-dwelling older adults (≥65 years) in Lanzhou, Gansu Province of China participated in a cross-sectional survey. Their status was evaluated in terms of frailty phenotype (unintentional weight loss, exhaustion, low activity levels, slowness and weakness). Participants were categorized as not frail, prefrail or frail. Cardiovascular disease risk factors that were assessed included: blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference, blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins and high-density lipoproteins. Results: Individuals with obesity had an increased risk of prefrailty (OR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.05, 4.84). Hypertension was inversely associated with frailty among the participants (OR: 0.31; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.87) after adjusting for covariates. Conclusions: The findings suggest that much more attention should be paid to weight control of the elderly in the community for preventing them from transition to prefrailty or frailty. Active prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases among the community-dwelling elder are still of great importance.

Abstract Persistent luminescence nanoparticles (PLNPs) are unique optical materials that emit afterglow luminescence after ceasing excitation. They exhibit unexpected advantages for in vivo optical imaging of tumors, such as autofluorescence-free, high sensitivity, high penetration depth, and multiple excitation sources (UV light, LED, NIR laser, X-ray, and radiopharmaceuticals). Besides, by incorporating other functional molecules, such as photosensitizers, photothermal agents, or therapeutic drugs, PLNPs are also widely used in persistent luminescence (PersL) imaging-guided tumor therapy. In this review, we first summarize the recent developments in the synthesis and surface functionalization of PLNPs, as well as their toxicity studies. We then discuss the in vivo PersL imaging and multimodal imaging from different excitation sources. Furthermore, we highlight PLNPs-based cancer theranostics applications, such as fluorescence-guided surgery, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, drug/gene delivery and combined therapy. Finally, future prospects and challenges of PLNPs in the research of translational medicine are also discussed.

Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) is a serious threat to sericulture. Nevertheless, no effective control strategy is currently available. The innate immunity of silkworm is critical in the antiviral process. Exploring its molecular mechanism provides theoretical support for the prevention and treatment of BmNPV. Insect hormone receptors play an essential role in regulating host immunity. We found a correlation between Bombyx mori ecdysone receptor B1 (BmEcR-B1) and BmNPV infection, whereas the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, the expression patterns and sequence characteristics of BmEcR-B1 and its isoform, BmEcR-A, were initially analyzed. BmEcR-B1 was found to be more critical than BmEcR-A in silkworm development and responses to BmNPV. Moreover, RNAi and an overexpression in BmN cells showed BmEcR-B1 had antiviral effects in the presence of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E); Otherwise, it had no antiviral activity. Furthermore, BmEcR-B1 was required for 20E-induced apoptosis, which significantly suppressed virus infection. Finally, feeding 20E had no significant negative impacts on larval growth and the cocoon shell, suggesting the regulation of this pathway has practical value in controlling BmNPV in sericulture. The findings of this study provide important theoretical support for understanding the mechanism of the silkworm innate immune system in response to BmNPV infection.

When used for ornamental purposes, the herbaceous peony is usually propagated by root ramets, but the replanting of divided seedlings in the original planting area results in poor growth and development. No research has reported on a compound microbial agent used for herbaceous peony. The purpose of this experiment is to provide a reference for low–cost soil improvement in production, promote the growth and development of herbaceous peony, and solve the problem of planting back obstacles. In this study, 3–year–old seedlings of herbaceous peony ‘Zifengyu’ were selected and planted into an ordinary garden and replanted soils. Four root irrigation treatments were conducted using the compound microbial agent ‘Junzhongjun’ to determine the physicochemical properties of rhizosphere soil, root physiology, and growth and development of ‘Zifengyu’ under different soil conditions. The growth and development of the aboveground parts of herbaceous peony were promoted by the treatment of the compound microbial agent in the following order: garden soil > sieved–root soil > unsieved–root soil. Root vigour was enhanced in the following sequence: sieved–root soil > unsieved–root soil > garden soil. The organic matter and available potassium in the rhizosphere soil of herbaceous peony increased, and the promotional effect in the sieved–root soil was significantly better than that in the other two soils. The results show that the compound microbial agent is low in cost and has a stimulating effect on the growth and development of herbaceous peony. In the process of production, the residual broken roots in the soil can be sieved and combined with the application of the compound microbial agent to further alleviate the barriers of replanting. The concentration and frequency of agent application should be further optimized at a later stage.

This paper presents a novel nano-material composite membrane for detecting aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). The membrane is based on carboxyl-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs-COOH) @ antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO)-chitosan (CS). To prepare the immunosensor, MWCNTs-COOH were dissolved in the CS solution, but some MWCNTs-COOH formed aggregates due to the intertwining of carbon nanotubes, blocking some pores. ATO was added to the solution containing MWCNTs-COOH, and the gaps were filled by adsorbing hydroxide radicals to form a more uniform film. This greatly increased the specific surface area of the formed film, resulting in a nano-composite film that was modified on screen-printed electrodes (SPCEs). The immunosensor was then constructed by immobilizing anti-AFB1 antibodies (Ab) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) on an SPCE successively. The assembly process and effect of the immunosensor were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Under optimized conditions, the prepared immunosensor exhibited a low detection limit of 0.033 ng/mL with a linear range of 1 × 10−3–1 × 103 ng/mL. The immunosensor demonstrated good selectivity, reproducibility, and stability. In summary, the results suggest that the MWCNTs-COOH@ATO-CS composite membrane can be used as an effective immunosensor for detecting AFB1.

Herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) is a famous ornamental plant, and the study of its flower color is of great significance for cultivating new flower varieties. To explore the factors driving the formation and change of herbaceous peony flower color, we selected five herbaceous peony varieties at four flowering stages to determine the change in flower color, petal area, and microstructure. We also examined the composition and content of petal pigments, soluble sugar and soluble protein content, pH value of cell fluid, and water content. Finally, we analyzed the correlations between each factor. We found that Pn3G5G, Pg3G5G, and Cy3G5G were the main anthocyanin components in red and purple petals. Qu3G, Qu7G, Is3G, and lutein play important roles in yellow petal formation. The change in herbaceous peony flower color during the flowering process is directly caused by changes in the anthocyanin and carotenoid content in petals. In addition, changes in other physiological indices also influence the change in flower color. This study explored the physiological and biochemical factors affecting the color of herbaceous peony petals, which has an important practical significance for studying the physiological mechanism of herbaceous peony flower color formation and color breeding of new flowers.

Ultrabithorax (Ubx) is a member of the Hox gene group involved in cell fate decisions, cell proliferation and organ identity. Its function has been extensively researched in Drosophila melanogaster but little is known about it in Lepidoptera. To uncover the function of Ubx in the development of lepidopterans, we constructed the Ubx overexpression (UbxOE) strain based on the Nistari strain of Bombyx mori. The UbxOE strain showed a small body size, transparent intersegmental membrane and abnormal posterior silk gland (PSG). In the current study, we focused on the effect of Ubx overexpression on the posterior silk gland. As the major protein product of PSG, the mRNA expression of fibroin heavy chain (Fib-H) and fibroin light chain (Fib-L) was upregulated three times in UbxOE, but the protein expression of Fib-H and Fib-L was not significantly different. We speculated that the overexpression of Ubx downregulated the expression of Myc and further caused abnormal synthesis of the spliceosome and ribosome. Abnormalities of the spliceosome and ribosome affected the synthesis of protein in the PSG and changed its morphology.