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Abstract A metabolomics-based approach to address the molecular mechanism of childhood asthma with immunoglobulin E (IgE) or allergen sensitization related to microbiome in the airways remains lacking. Fifty-three children with lowly sensitized non-atopic asthma (n = 15), highly sensitized atopic asthma (n = 13), and healthy controls (n = 25) were enrolled. Blood metabolomic analysis with 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and airway microbiome composition analysis by bacterial 16S rRNA sequencing were performed. An integrative analysis of their associations with allergen-specific IgE levels for lowly and highly sensitized asthma was also assessed. Four metabolites including tyrosine, isovalerate, glycine, and histidine were uniquely associated with lowly sensitized asthma, whereas one metabolite, acetic acid, was strongly associated with highly sensitized asthma. Metabolites associated with highly sensitized asthma (valine, isobutyric acid, and acetic acid) and lowly sensitized asthma (isovalerate, tyrosine, and histidine) were strongly correlated each other (P

Abstract Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a deadly cancer characterized by an expanded self-renewal capacity that is associated with the accumulation of immature myeloid cells. Emerging evidence shows that methyl-CpG-binding domain protein 2 (MBD2), a DNA methylation reader, often participates in the transcriptional silencing of hypermethylated genes in cancer cells. Nevertheless, the role of MBD2 in AML remains unclear. Herein, by using an MLL-AF9 murine model and a human AML cell line, we observed that loss of MBD2 could delay the initiation and progression of leukemia. MBD2 depletion significantly reduced the leukemia burden by decreasing the proportion of leukemic stem cells (LSCs) and inhibiting leukemia cell proliferation in serial transplantation experiments, thereby allowing leukemic blasts to transition to a more mature state reflecting normal myelopoiesis. Both gene expression analyses and bioinformatic studies revealed that MBD2 negatively modulated genes related to myeloid differentiation, and was necessary to sustain the MLL-AF9 oncogene-induced gene program. We further demonstrated that MBD2 could promote LSC cell cycle progression through epigenetic regulation of CDKN1C transcription probably by binding to its promoter region. Taken together, our data suggest that MBD2 promotes AML development and could be a therapeutic target for myeloid malignancies.

Abstract Background The rice gall midge (RGM, Orseolia oryzae, Wood-Mason), an important stem-feeding pest worldwide, has caused serious production losses over the past decades. Rice production practices indicate that the most reliable method for managing RGM is the deployment of cultivars that incorporate host resistance. However, the conventional phenotypic screening method of rice resistance to RGM suggested by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has been used for approximately 30 years, and only 12 rice varieties/lines (including controls) can be evaluated in one tray. It is not suitable for high-throughput phenotyping of rice germplasm. Moreover, a suitable method to prepare samples for molecular biological studies of rice resistance against RGM is imperative with the rapid development of modern molecular techniques. Results The proper density of seedlings/RGM was determined for four seeding arrangements. A high-throughput phenotyping method (HTPM) for 60 lines/varieties infested with 36 female RGM adults in one tray, as described by method 4–3 (seeded 60 lines/varieties), was developed and verified using mutant screening. Furthermore, one RGM resistance gene flanked by markers 12RM28346 and 12RM28739 on chromosome 12 was simultaneously detected using method 2–2 (seeded 30 lines/varieties in one tray) treated with 24 RGM and analyzed using conventional and simplified grading systems. Genetic analysis of the RGM resistance gene was confirmed using a method identical to that suggested by IRRI. Finally, one bucket with 24 seedlings treated with at least five female RGM adults was efficacious and could offer adequate samples for insect development observation or molecular biological studies. Conclusion A highly efficient and reliable procedure for evaluation of resistance in rice to RGM was developed and improved, and was verified through mutant screening, gene mapping, genetic analysis, and insect growth and development observations.

The spatial self‐phase modulation (SSPM) of phosphorus‐based nanomaterials is widely studied and developed as passive nonlinear photonic devices for applications in all‐optical switches, logic gates, information converters, etc. In this work, violet phosphorus quantum dots (VP QDs) are prepared and characterized in three different solvents, their SSPM is investigated, and their spatial asymmetric light propagation performances are demonstrated. It is shown that VP QDs prepared in three different solvents exhibit different bandgaps, mainly due to the interaction between the dangling bonds of VP QDs and functional groups in different solvents. The SSPM experiment characterizes the nonlinear optical response of solvent‐dependent VP QDs. It is found that VP QDs exhibit strong nonlinear optical effect and their nonlinear refractive indexes are comparable to other phosphorus‐based 2D materials. Unlike the previously reported principle of spatial asymmetric light propagation (i.e., a cascaded sample based on SSPM composed of nanomaterials with excellent nonlinear refraction and SnS2 with reverse saturation absorption), the spatial asymmetric light propagation performance based on SSPM is demonstrated using a cascaded sample of VP QDs with significantly different nonlinear optical response prepared in two different solvents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trade-off and coordinated development of the “production-living-ecological” functions (PLEFs) of an area is an important basis for the optimization of the spatial pattern of the land, and helps to promote the harmonious symbiotic relationship between human beings and nature. This paper combines ecological niche theory, a coupling coordination model, and a trade-off synergy model to construct an evaluation index system for Chinese county PLEFs. Quantitative methods were used to measure spatiotemporal evolution characteristics, trade-off synergy of PLEFs in 38 counties in Chongqing, China, and the coupling coordination degree between PLEFs. The results showed that the ecological niche width of the “production-ecological” function revealed an overall growth trend. However, there was a mismatch in regional development of the “production-ecological” function, showing dislocation characteristics of “high in the west and low in the east” and “high in the east and low in the west.” The niche width of the life function is similar to the comprehensive niche width of PLEFs, showing the characteristics of fluctuation and partition change. PLEFs and both the aforementioned functions showed distribution characteristics of “high in the west and low in the east,” with the whole moving towards the stage of coordinated coupling, of which the “production-living” function has the highest coupling level. The functional coupling coordination degree of “production-living-ecological” is generally manifested as “high in the west and low in the east,” and changing from the primary stage of imbalance to well-coordinated development. The “production-ecological” and “living-ecological” functions are in low-level imbalance in the primary and moderate coordination stages. Additionally, the evolution trend of the “production-ecological” and the “living-ecological” functions are similar, showing alternating and fluctuating development characteristics. Overall, in the past 20 years, Chongqing’s “living-production” function has changed from a trade-off model to a collaborative development relationship, and the “living-ecological” function is generally based on a collaborative development relationship. The “ecological function” is manifested as a trade-off constraint relationship. Moreover, the coordinated development level of “living-production,” “living-ecological,” and “production-ecological” functions in the central urban area has been greatly improved, while counties have gradually shown different degrees of trade-offs.

Abstract Background Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is a group of inherited peripheral neuropathies, which are subdivided into demyelinating and axonal forms. Biallelic mutations in POLR3B are the well-established cause of hypomyelinating leukodystrophy, which is characterized by hypomyelination, hypodontia, and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. To date, only one study has reported the demyelinating peripheral neuropathy phenotype caused by heterozygous POLR3B variants. Case presentation A 19-year-old male patient was referred to our hospital for progressive muscle weakness of the lower extremities. Physical examination showed muscle atrophy, sensory loss and deformities of the extremities. Nerve conduction studies and electromyography tests revealed sensorimotor demyelinating polyneuropathy with secondary axonal loss. Trio whole-exome sequencing revealed a de novo variant in POLR3B (c.3137G > A). Conclusions In this study, we report the case of a Chinese patient with a de novo variant in POLR3B (c.3137G > A), who manifested demyelinating CMT phenotype without additional neurological or extra-neurological involvement. This work is the second report on POLR3B-related CMT.

Abstract Background Although many causative genes have been uncovered in recent years, genetic diagnosis is still missing for approximately 50% of autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia (ARCA) patients. Few studies have been performed to determine the genetic spectrum and clinical profile of ARCA patients in the Chinese population. Methods Fifty-four Chinese index patients with unexplained autosomal recessive or sporadic ataxia were investigated by whole-exome sequencing (WES) and copy number variation (CNV) calling with ExomeDepth. Likely causal CNV predictions were validated by CNVseq. Results Thirty-eight mutations including 29 novel ones were identified in 25 out of the 54 patients, providing a 46.3% positive molecular diagnostic rate. Ten different genes were involved, of which four most common genes were SACS, SYNE1, ADCK3 and SETX, which accounted for 76.0% (19/25) of the positive cases. The de novo microdeletion in SACS was reported for the first time in China and the uniparental disomy of ADCK3 was reported for the first time worldwide. Clinical features of the patients carrying SACS, SYNE1 and ADCK3 mutations were summarized. Conclusions Our results expand the genetic spectrum and clinical profiles of ARCA patients, demonstrate the high efficiency and reliability of WES combined with CNV analysis in the diagnosis of suspected ARCA, and emphasize the importance of complete bioinformatics analysis of WES data for accurate diagnosis.

Abstract Objective Colon cancer (CC) is one of the most common cancers whose progression is regulated by a number of factors, including circular RNAs (circRNAs). Nonetheless, circ_0038718 is a novel circRNA, and its regulatory mechanism in CC remains unclear. Methods Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect the expression of circ_0038718, miR-195-5p and Axin2. Western blot was conducted to determine the protein expression of Axin2 and the key proteins on Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Oligo (dT) 18 primers and RNase R were employed to identify the circular features of circ_0038718, and the location of circ_0038718 in cells was detected via nucleocytoplasmic separation. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation experiment were carried out to investigate the molecular mechanism of circ_0038718/miR-195-5p/Axin2. Additionally, MTT assay was conducted to assess cell proliferation; Transwell assay was performed to evaluate cell migration and invasion, respectively. The effect of circ_0038718 on CC tumor growth was tested through tumor formation in nude mice. Results circ_0038718 was highly expressed in CC and could sponge miR-195-5p in cytoplasm. Silencing circ_0038718 suppressed the proliferative, migratory and invasive abilities of CC cells, while the promoting effect of high circ_0038718 expression on CC cells was reversed upon miR-195-5p over-expression. Axin2 was a downstream target of miR-195-5p and could regulate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Axin2 expression was modulated by circ_0038718/miR-195-5p. Knockdown of Axin2 could also attenuate the promoting effect of high circ_0038718 expression on CC cell malignant progression, thus inhibiting tumor growth. Conclusion circ_0038718 is able to facilitate CC cell malignant progression via the miR-195-5p/Axin2 axis, which will provide a new idea for finding a novel targeted treatment of CC.

Hexokinase (HXK) is the first irreversible catalytic enzyme in the glycolytic pathway, which not only provides energy for plant growth and development but also serves as a signaling molecule in response to environmental changes. However, the evolutionary pattern of the HXK gene family in apple remains unknown. In this study, a total of nine HXK genes were identified in the Malus×domestica genome GDDH13 v1.1. The physiological and biochemical properties, exonintron structures, conserved motifs, and cis-elements of the MdHXK genes were determined. Predicted subcellular localization indicated that the MdHXK genes were mainly distributed in the mitochondria, cytoplasm, and nucleus. Gene duplication revealed that whole-genome duplication (WGD) and segmental duplication played vital roles in MdHXK gene family expansion. The ω values of pairwise MdHXK genes indicated that this family was subjected to strong purifying selection during apple domestication. Additionally, five subfamilies were classified, and recent/old duplication events were identified based on phylogenetic tree analysis. Different evolutionary rates were estimated among the various HXK subfamilies. Moreover, divergent expression patterns of the MdHXK genes in four source-sink tissues and at five different apple fruit developmental stages indicated that they play vital roles in apple fruit development and sugar accumulation. Our study provides a theoretical basis for future elucidation of the biological functions of the MdHXK genes during apple fruit development.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a leading cause of preventable cardiovascular disease, but the metabolic changes from prediabetes to diabetes have not been fully clarified. This study implemented a metabolomics profiling platform to investigate the variations of metabolites and to elucidate their global profiling from metabolic syndrome to DM. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 44) were divided into four groups. Three groups were separately fed with a normal diet, a high-fructose diet (HF), or a high-fat (HL) diet while one group was treated with streptozotocin. The HF and HL diet were meant to induce insulin resistance, obesity, and dyslipidemia, which known to induce DM. Results: The most significant metabolic variations in the DM group’s urine samples were the reduced release of citric acid cycle intermediates, the increase in acylcarnitines, and the decrease in urea excretion, all of which indicated energy metabolism abnormalities and mitochondrial dysfunction. Overall, the metabolic analysis revealed tryptophan metabolic pathway variations in the prediabetic phase, even though the mitochondrial function remains unaffected. Conclusion: This study show that widespread methylations and impaired tryptophan metabolism occur in metabolic syndrome and are then followed by a decline in citric acid cycle intermediates, indicating mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetes.

Despite the importance of innate immunity in invertebrates, the diversity and function of innate immune cells in invertebrates are largely unknown. Using single-cell RNA-seq, we identified prohemocytes, monocytic hemocytes, and granulocytes as the three major cell-types in the white shrimp hemolymph. Our results identified a novel macrophage-like subset called monocytic hemocytes 2 (MH2) defined by the expression of certain marker genes, including Nlrp3 and Casp1. This subtype of shrimp hemocytes is phagocytic and expresses markers that indicate some conservation with mammalian macrophages. Combined, our work resolves the heterogenicity of hemocytes in a very economically important aquatic species and identifies a novel innate immune cell subset that is likely a critical player in the immune responses of shrimp to threatening infectious diseases affecting this industry.

As a regional development strategy based on the world’s third largest river basin unit, the Yangtze river economic belt strategy plays a vital role in building ecological civilization with the core concept of “ecological priority and green development”. To study the impact of the Yangtze River Economic Belt strategy on the construction of ecological civilization in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. This paper uses the entropy power method to measure the level of ecological civilization construction in 37 prefecture-level cities in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. It examines the impact of the Yangtze River Economic Belt Strategy on the construction of ecological civilization in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River based on the DID method. The study results show that 1) the level of ecological civilization construction in the Yangtze River’s upper reaches has continuously improved from 2003 to 2020. 2) The implementation of the Yangtze River Economic Belt Strategy has a significant positive impact on the construction of ecological civilization in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. 3) The Yangtze River Economic Belt Strategy can promote the construction of ecological civilization in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River by improving the level of science and technology innovation. 4) The implementation of the Yangtze River Economic Belt Strategy does not significantly impact the level of ecological civilization construction in the regions participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, so it is necessary to pay attention to the synergy between different policies. This study will help to raise the awareness of developing countries on economic development and ecological protection in the river basin, and provide a reference for policymakers.

Background: Nonspecific terminal ileal ulcers are one of the common ulcerative diseases in terminal ileum. However, the studies about treatment efficacy are scarce. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of mesalazine in the treatment of this disease.Methods: Eighty-two patients with nonspecific terminal ileal ulcers who sought outpatient medical treatment in the Division of Gastroenterology, Wuhan Union Hospital, from April 2016 to January 2019 were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group took mesalazine orally, 4.0 g/d, once a day for 3 months. The control group was followed up without special intervention. The primary endpoint was the endoscopic remission rate at the 6th and 12th month. Secondary endpoints included the clinical remission rate at the 1st, 6th and 12th month and adverse events (ChiCTR1900027503).Results: About the endoscopic efficacy, the remission rate of the experimental group and control group was 73.2 versus 61.0% at the 6th month (RR = 1.20, 95%CI 0.88∼1.63, p = 0.24) and 87.8 versus 78.0% at the 12th month (RR = 1.13, 95%CI 0.92∼1.37, p = 0.24). About the clinical efficacy, the remission rate was 70.3 versus 43.8% at the 1st month (RR = 1.61, 95%CI 1.03∼2.51, p = 0.03), 83.8 versus 68.8% at the 6th month (RR = 1.22, 95%CI 0.93∼1.60, p = 0.14) and 91.9 versus 81.3% at the 12th month (RR = 1.13, 95%CI 0.93∼1.37, p = 0.34). During follow-up, no patients were diagnosed with Crohn’s disease or intestinal tuberculosis, and no patients developed significant complications.Conclusion: For patients with nonspecific terminal ileal ulcers, there is no disease progression over a short term. In addition, there is no significant difference in clinical or endoscopic efficacy between patients who received mesalazine and patients who are followed up without special intervention.

Increasing mitochondrial fusion by intra-tumoral grafting of membrane-fused mitochondria created with Pep-1 conjugation (P-Mito) contributes to breast cancer treatment, but it needs to be validated. Using mitochondrial division inhibitor-1 (Mdivi-1, Mdi) to disturb mitochondrial dynamics, we showed that the antitumor action of P-Mito in a mouse model of triple-negative breast cancer depends upon mitochondrial fusion and that Mdi treatment alone is ineffective. P-Mito significantly enhanced Doxorubicin (Dox) sensitivity by inducing mitochondrial fusion and mitophagy, and the same efficiency was also achieved with Mdi by inhibiting mitophagy. Cell death was induced via the p53 pathway and AIF nuclear translocation in the case of P-Mito, versus the caspase-dependent pathway for Mdi. Notably, both mitochondrial treatments reduced oxidative stress and blood vessel density of xenograft tumors, especially P-Mito, which was accompanied by inhibition of nuclear factor kappa-B activation. Furthermore, through enrichment analysis, four microRNAs in serum microvesicles induced by P-Mito caused expression of predicted targets via the PI3K-Akt pathway, and significantly impacted regulation of nuclear processes and myeloid cell differentiation. Clustering of gene-sets implicated a major steroid catabolic network. This study showed diverse roles of mitochondria in breast cancer and revealed effective adjuvant therapy targeting mitochondrial fusion and mitophagy.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread globally since December 2019. Several studies reported that SARS-CoV-2 infections may produce false-positive reactions in dengue virus (DENV) serology tests and vice versa. However, it remains unclear whether SARS-CoV-2 and DENV cross-reactive antibodies provide cross-protection against each disease or promote disease severity. In this study, we confirmed that antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and its receptor-binding domain (S1-RBD) were significantly increased in dengue patients compared to normal controls. In addition, anti-S1-RBD IgG purified from S1-RBD hyperimmune rabbit sera could cross-react with both DENV envelope protein (E) and nonstructural protein 1 (NS1). The potential epitopes of DENV E and NS1 recognized by these antibodies were identified by a phage-displayed random peptide library. In addition, DENV infection and DENV NS1-induced endothelial hyperpermeability in vitro were inhibited in the presence of anti-S1-RBD IgG. Passive transfer anti-S1-RBD IgG into mice also reduced prolonged bleeding time and decreased NS1 seral level in DENV-infected mice. Lastly, COVID-19 patients’ sera showed neutralizing ability against dengue infection in vitro. Thus, our results suggest that the antigenic cross-reactivity between the SARS-CoV-2 S1-RBD and DENV can induce the production of anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1-RBD antibodies that cross-react with DENV which may hinder dengue pathogenesis.

Symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) provides sufficient nitrogen (N) to meet most legume nutrition demands. In return, host plants feed symbionts carbohydrates produced in shoots. However, the molecular dialogue between shoots and symbionts remains largely mysterious. Here, we report the map-based cloning and characterization of a natural variation in GmNN1, the ortholog of Arabidopsis thaliana FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT2a) that simultaneously triggers nodulation in soybean and modulates leaf N nutrition. A 43-bp insertion in the promoter region of GmNN1/FT2a significantly decreased its transcription level and yielded N deficiency phenotypes. Manipulating GmNN1/GmFT2a significantly enhanced soybean nodulation, plant growth, and N nutrition. The near-isogenic lines (NILs) carrying low mRNA abundance alleles of GmNN1/FT2a, along with stable transgenic soybeans with CRISPR/Cas9 knockouts of GmNN1/FT2a, had yellower leaves, lower N concentrations, and fewer nodules than wild-type control plants. Grafting together with split-root experiments demonstrated that only shoot GmNN1/FT2a was responsible for regulating nodulation and thereby N nutrition through shoot-to-root translocation, and this process depends on rhizobial infection. After translocating into roots, shoot-derived GmNN1/FT2a was found to interact with GmNFYA-C (nuclear factor-Y subunit A-C) to activate symbiotic signaling through the previously reported GmNFYA-C-ENOD40 module. In short, the description of the critical soybean nodulation regulatory pathway outlined herein sheds novel insights into the shoot-to-root signaling required for communications between host plants and root nodulating symbionts.

Abstract The feasibility of delivering mitochondria intranasally so as to bypass the blood–brain barrier in treating Parkinson's disease (PD), was evaluated in unilaterally 6-OHDA-lesioned rats. Intranasal infusion of allogeneic mitochondria conjugated with Pep-1 (P-Mito) or unconjugated (Mito) was performed once a week on the ipsilateral sides of lesioned brains for three months. A significant improvement of rotational and locomotor behaviors in PD rats was observed in both mitochondrial groups, compared to sham or Pep-1-only groups. Dopaminergic (DA) neuron survival and recovery > 60% occurred in lesions of the substantia nigra (SN) and striatum in Mito and P-Mito rats. The treatment effect was stronger in the P-Mito group than the Mito group, but the difference was insignificant. This recovery was associated with restoration of mitochondrial function and attenuation of oxidative damage in lesioned SN. Notably, P-Mito suppressed plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines. Mitochondria penetrated the accessory olfactory bulb and doublecortin-positive neurons of the rostral migratory stream (RMS) on the ipsilateral sides of lesions and were expressed in striatal, but not SN DA neurons, of both cerebral hemispheres, evidently via commissural fibers. This study shows promise for intranasal delivery of mitochondria, confirming mitochondrial internalization and migration via RMS neurons in the olfactory bulb for PD therapy.

One of the most significant issues in the success of language students is communication skills. Due to the high importance of the willingness to communicate in foreign language learning, many researchers are looking for effective factors in raising the level of communication among language learners. Reviewing the literature, the researchers explored the role of language learners’ gender, major, age, and proficiency level in their willingness to communicate. To gather the necessary data, the researcher administered a willingness to communicate questionnaire among 860 Chinese english as a foreign language (EFL) students. The results of data analyses demonstrated that gender, major, and age played a significant role in determining language learners’ willingness to communicate. However, the findings showed that learners’ willingness to communicate could be different in all proficiency levels. The results showed that taking into account factors such as students’ gender, background, and age directly helps to improve the willingness to communicate among language learners. Finally, solutions to improve the willingness to communicate are provided.

Electroencephalography (EEG) can reveal the abnormalities of dopaminergic subcortico-cortical circuits in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, conventional time-frequency analysis of EEG signals cannot fully reveal the non-linear processes of neural activities and interactions. A novel Holo-Hilbert Spectral Analysis (HHSA) was applied to reveal non-linear features of resting state EEG in 99 PD patients and 59 healthy controls (HCs). PD patients demonstrated a reduction of β bands in frontal and central regions, and reduction of γ bands in central, parietal, and temporal regions. Compared with early-stage PD patients, late-stage PD patients demonstrated reduction of β bands in the posterior central region, and increased θ and δ2 bands in the left parietal region. θ and β bands in all brain regions were positively correlated with Hamilton depression rating scale scores. Machine learning algorithms using three prioritized HHSA features demonstrated “Bag” with the best accuracy of 0.90, followed by “LogitBoost” with an accuracy of 0.89. Our findings strengthen the application of HHSA to reveal high-dimensional frequency features in EEG signals of PD patients. The EEG characteristics extracted by HHSA are important markers for the identification of depression severity and diagnosis of PD.

Since motivation determines progress in the class, it has a significant role in the field of learning English as a foreign language (EFL), contributing to a successful learning process. Therefore, teachers need to motivate learners to achieve their learning goals and provide them with a meaningful learning process in stressful situations. Two factors are required to successfully overcome challenges in scholastic circumstances, such as academic buoyancy and social support. The former can be a significant element in a psycho-educational setting that helps learners with academic difficulties and the latter is another term that is deemed as an important predictor of academic motivation even when considering perceived support from teachers and peers. The functions of academic buoyancy and social support factors in the process of learning and their association with students’ motivation have not been taken into account so far. As a result, this review has implications for scholars, theorists, and practitioners in quest of better investigating and addressing the roles of buoyancy and social support on students’ motivation.

Several risk factors are related to glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), including demographics, medical conditions, negative emotions, lipid profiles, and heart rate variability (HRV; to present cardiac autonomic activity). The interactions between these risk factors remain unclear. This study aimed to use machine learning methods of artificial intelligence to explore the relationships between various risk factors and glycemic control in T2DM patients. The study utilized a database from Lin et al. (2022) that included 647 T2DM patients. Regression tree analysis was conducted to identify the interactions among risk factors that contribute to glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values, and various machine learning methods were compared for their accuracy in classifying T2DM patients. The results of the regression tree analysis revealed that high depression scores may be a risk factor in one subgroup but not in others. When comparing different machine learning classification methods, the random forest algorithm emerged as the best-performing method with a small set of features. Specifically, the random forest algorithm achieved 84% accuracy, 95% area under the curve (AUC), 77% sensitivity, and 91% specificity. Using machine learning methods can provide significant value in accurately classifying patients with T2DM when considering depression as a risk factor.

Peanuts are susceptible to aflatoxins produced by Aspergillus flavus. Exploring green, efficient, and economical ways to inhibit Aspergillus flavus is conducive to controlling aflatoxin contamination from the source. In this study, Ag-loaded titanium dioxide composites showed more than 90% inhibition rate against Aspergillus flavus under visible light irradiation for 15 min. More importantly, this method could also reduce the contaminated level of Aspergillus flavus to prevent aflatoxins production in peanuts, and the concentrations of aflatoxin B1, B2, and G2 were decreased by 96.02 ± 0.19%, 92.50 ± 0.45%, and 89.81 ± 0.52%, respectively. It was found that there are no obvious effects on peanut quality by evaluating the changes in acid value, peroxide value, and the content of fat, protein, polyphenols, and resveratrol after inhibition treatment. The inhibition mechanism was that these reactive species (•O2−, •OH−, h+, and e−) generated from photoreaction destroyed cell structures, then led to the reduced viability of Aspergillus flavus spores. This study provides useful information for constructing a green and efficient inhibition method for Aspergillus flavus on peanuts to control aflatoxin contamination, which is potentially applied in the field of food and agri-food preservation.

Solar-cell panels use sunlight as a source of energy to generate electricity. However, the performances of solar panels decline when they degrade, owing to defects. Some common defects in solar-cell panels include hot spots, cracking, and dust. Hence, it is important to efficiently detect defects in solar-cell panels and repair them. In this study, we propose a lightweight inception residual convolutional network (LIRNet) to detect defects in solar-cell panels. LIRNet is a neural network model that utilizes deep learning techniques. To achieve high model performance on solar panels, including high fault detection accuracy and processing speed, LIRNet draws on hierarchical learning, which is a two-phase solar-panel-defect classification method. The first phase is the data-preprocessing stage. We use the K-means clustering algorithm to refine the dataset. The second phase is the training of the model. We designed a powerful and lightweight neural network model to enhance accuracy and speed up the training time. In the experiment, LIRNet improved the accuracy by approximately 8% and performed ten times faster than EfficientNet.

The major oxidized product of cholesterol, 7-Ketocholesterol (7KCh), causes cellular oxidative damage. In the present study, we investigated the physiological responses of cardiomyocytes to 7KCh. A 7KCh treatment inhibited the growth of cardiac cells and their mitochondrial oxygen consumption. It was accompanied by a compensatory increase in mitochondrial mass and adaptive metabolic remodeling. The application of [U-13C] glucose labeling revealed an increased production of malonyl-CoA but a decreased formation of hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) in the 7KCh-treated cells. The flux of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle decreased, while that of anaplerotic reaction increased, suggesting a net conversion of pyruvate to malonyl-CoA. The accumulation of malonyl-CoA inhibited the carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1) activity, probably accounting for the 7-KCh-induced suppression of β-oxidation. We further examined the physiological roles of malonyl-CoA accumulation. Treatment with the inhibitor of malonyl-CoA decarboxylase, which increased the intracellular malonyl-CoA level, mitigated the growth inhibitory effect of 7KCh, whereas the treatment with the inhibitor of acetyl-CoA carboxylase, which reduced malonyl-CoA content, aggravated such a growth inhibitory effect. Knockout of malonyl-CoA decarboxylase gene (Mlycd−/−) alleviated the growth inhibitory effect of 7KCh. It was accompanied by improvement of the mitochondrial functions. These findings suggest that the formation of malonyl-CoA may represent a compensatory cytoprotective mechanism to sustain the growth of 7KCh-treated cells.

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Rice planthoppers, including brown planthopper (BPH) and white-backed planthopper (WBPH), are the most destructive pests in Asian rice cultivation regions. Planthopper resistance genes that have been mapped and characterized advance our understanding of underlying resistance mechanisms and facilitate the breeding of resistant varieties, thereby contributing to an efficient pest management strategy. In this study, a novel resistance gene Bph38 derived from the wild rice species Oryza rufipogon Griff. was found to confer high resistance to BPH and WBPH. Conventional mapping was performed to identify regions associated with BPH and WBPH resistance, and two mapping efforts led to the same region on chromosome 4 flanked by markers RM16563 and RM16763. Bulked-segregant analysis and next-generation sequencing were performed using the same population to detect the resistance gene. Conventional mapping narrowed the region to a 12.3-Mb segment, and fine mapping using BC1F2 recombinants identified a 79-kb segment flanked by markers YM112 and YM190. Near-isogenic lines (NILs) carrying Bph38 in the 9311 (indica) and BR54 (japonica) genetic backgrounds were developed by crossing and backcrossing with marker-assisted selection. The agronomic traits and BPH and WBPH resistance of the NILs were similar to those of the recurrent parents. Mandatory feeding and host-choice tests revealed that Bph38 showed both antibiotic and antixenotic effects in both insects, with stronger effects in indica-background lines. Further fine mapping and characterization of the major gene may result in map-based cloning of the gene and allow its application in breeding insect-resistant rice varieties.

Abstract Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is identified as an inflammatory syndrome with high morbidity and mortality as a result of severe hepatocellular dysfunction and liver injury. Accumulated studies indicated that miRNAs are involved in AH. The potential effect of miR‐451a in AH mice was examined in the current study. A mice AH model was established and the miR‐451a expression in AH mice compared with the sham group was tested by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). AH mice were injected with pre‐miR‐451a lentivirus for miR‐451a overexpression and histone deacetylase (HDAC8) lentivirus for HDAC8 overexpression in AH mice. The underlying mechanisms were explored by searching the potential target genes of miR‐451a in miRanda database and then we confirmed this. We found that miR‐451a expression was significantly decreased in AH mice compared with the sham group. Moreover, miR‐451a overexpression alleviated alcohol‐induced liver inflammation and injuries of AH mice. Additionally, further mechanism exploration disclosed that HDAC8 was a target of miR‐451a. The protective effect of miR‐451a on AH in AH mice was abolished by HDAC8 overexpression. In summary, miR‐451a ameliorates AH via repressing HDAC8‐mediated proinflammatory response.

Alterations in lipid composition and disturbed lipoprotein metabolism are involved in the pathomechanism of Huntington’s disease (HD). Here, we measured 112 lipoprotein subfractions and components in the plasma of 20 normal controls, 24 symptomatic (sympHD) and 9 presymptomatic (preHD) HD patients. Significant changes were found in 30 lipoprotein subfractions and components in all HD patients. Plasma levels of total cholesterol (CH), apolipoprotein (Apo)B, ApoB-particle number (PN), and components of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were lower in preHD and sympHD patients. Components of LDL4, LDL5, LDL6 and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)4 demonstrated lower levels in preHD and sympHD patients compared with controls. Components in LDL3 displayed lower levels in sympHD compared with the controls, whereas components in very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)5 were higher in sympHD patients compared to the controls. The levels of components in HDL4 and VLDL5 demonstrated correlation with the scores of motor assessment, independence scale or functional capacity of Unified Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale. These findings indicate the potential of components of VLDL5, LDL3, LDL4, LDL5 and HDL4 to serve as the biomarkers for HD diagnosis and disease progression, and demonstrate substantial evidence of the involvement of lipids and apolipoproteins in HD pathogenesis.

Tumour metabolomics and transcriptomics co-expression network as related to biological folate alteration and cancer malignancy remains unexplored in human non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). To probe the diagnostic biomarkers, tumour and pair lung tissue samples (n = 56) from 97 NSCLC patients were profiled for ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS/MS)-analysed metabolomics, targeted transcriptionomics, and clinical folate traits. Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was performed. Tumour lactate was identified as the top VIP marker to predict advance NSCLC (AUC = 0.765, Sig = 0.017, CI 0.58–0.95). Low folate (LF)-tumours vs. adjacent lungs displayed higher glycolytic index of lactate and glutamine-associated amino acids in enriched biological pathways of amino sugar and glutathione metabolism specific to advance NSCLCs. WGCNA classified the green module for hub serine-navigated glutamine metabolites inversely associated with tumour and RBC folate, which module metabolites co-expressed with a predominant up-regulation of LF-responsive metabolic genes in glucose transport (GLUT1), de no serine synthesis (PHGDH, PSPH, and PSAT1), folate cycle (SHMT1/2 and PCFR), and down-regulation in glutaminolysis (SLC1A5, SLC7A5, GLS, and GLUD1). The LF-responsive WGCNA markers predicted poor survival rates in lung cancer patients, which could aid in optimizing folate intervention for better prognosis of NSCLCs susceptible to folate malnutrition.