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The ceramics with the composition of - (NBT-BMST) in which = 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 were prepared successfully by the solid-state reaction method. The effects of NBT-doping on phase structure, morphology, temperature stability and dielectric properties had been investigated in detail. The XRD results show that the composites are composed of tetragonal perovskite. The phase structure of NBT-BMST is observed by scanning electron microscopy. The dielectric constant of - ceramic is 4100, the temperature coefficients of capacitance are −15%, 15% and 22% at −55C, 60C and 200C, respectively. And the dielectric loss is less than 0.13, which is obviously superior to other compositions. The results of this work showed that the component of - is a promising candidate to high-temperature stable materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A wet solid-state method was used in this work to produce - materials. By using core-shell structure nanocubic (BMST) decorated (BBT) assemblies, a composite capacitor with improved dielectric constant and enhanced breakdown strength was successfully fabricated in contrast with the composite ferroelectric - (BBT-BST) ceramic. With increasing Mg content, the ceramic capacitors display a stronger performance in its dielectric behavior. The best dielectric properties were obtained in the composition = 0.007 with the dielectric constant above 65,000. The dielectric strength of the ceramics was measured by a withstanding voltage tester. The best dielectric strength was achieved in the composition = 0.007 with = 5.455 kV/mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead-free NaBiTiO3-BaSrSnTiO3 (NBT-BSST) ceramics are prepared by a wet solid-phase reaction method. The effect of NBT/BSST ratio on phase structure, microstructure and dielectric properties has been investigated in detail. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis illustrates that the composites are composed of tetragonal perovskite. With increasing NBT content, the ceramic capacitors display stronger temperature stability in its dielectric behavior. A great enhance of dielectric properties and other electric parameters is obtained in this system by properly modulating the compositions. For example, the composite ceramics with 30% NBT content possess a large dielectric constant of 3200 and a low dielectric loss of 0.09. The temperature coefficient of capacitance of NBT-BSST varies from −50% to 20% while the NBT content is 30% at the whole range of measured temperature. The results show that NBT-BSST ceramics are a good candidate of lead-free dielectric materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owning of the charge density discrepancy between building blocks in TMP, the accelerated ICT within APTES-TiO 2 @TMP remarkably ameliorates the photocatalytic CO 2 RR. [Display omitted] • A nitrogen-rich COF is linked to TiO 2 to form APTES-TiO 2 @TMP hybrid exhibiting honeycomb-like morphology. • The ICT between the TAPT and TP moieties in TMP COF is conducive to the charge delivery within the heterostructure. • The visible-light-driven CO 2 RR dominated by APTES-TiO 2 @TMP is 6.76 μmol·h−1, remarkably higher than APTES-TiO 2 @TM. Utilizing organic structures to combine with TiO 2 is regarded as a potent strategy for meliorating the photocatalytic performance of TiO 2. Nonetheless, exploration towards the impact of modulation at organic molecular level for the COF construction (e.g., the types, substituent group and the arrangement of the building blocks), upon the optical or/and electronic features of TiO 2 -COF heterostructures is relatively scarce. Herein, a nitrogen-rich covalent organic framework (COF) which is employed to covalently integrate with aminopropyltriethoxysilane modified TiO 2 (APTES-TiO 2) through Schiff-base reaction. Due to the significant charge density disparity between the two building units, 2, 4, 6-tris (4-aminophenyl)-1, 3, 5-triazine (TAPT) and melem in the hybridized TiO 2 @TMP-COF with honeycomb-like morphology, the promoted intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) brings about accelerated charge delivery efficiency within the heterostructure by contrast to the structure-similar COF established hybrid, TiO 2 @TM-COF, which is built by the identical approach except for the involvement of TAPT monomer. Accordingly, the photocatalytic CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 RR) dominated by TiO 2 @TMP-COF affords the CO production of 6.76 μmol·g−1·h−1, about 3 times that of TiO 2 @TM-COF; still, the enhanced catalytic efficiency than either the constituent TiO 2 or TMP-COF owes much to the Z-scheme charge migration dynamics and augmented light-capturing capability within the hybrid. Our study opens a new landscape of heterostructure establishment for simultaneously ameliorating light absorption and accelerating charge delivery in photocatalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heavy metal (Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) content and particle size of surface sediment samples taken from 123 sites in the Bohai Strait of China were analyzed. All five heavy metals showed a similar distribution in the Bohai Strait, with lower concentrations in the middle and higher concentrations at the sides of the strait. The amount of heavy metals was lowest in the Laotieshan Channel due to the rapid current in this channel. According to our calculated values of the pollution index (Pi), only 1.6 % of the sample sites were polluted by Cr and Cu. The calculated geo-accumulation index (Igeo) values showed that few of the sites were polluted by heavy metals. The level of Pb was controlled by both terrigenous inputs and clay adsorption, while the levels of the other heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn) were mainly controlled by terrigenous inputs. • Heavy metals in 123 sediment samples from the Bohai Strait were analyzed. • Some sites in the strait are polluted, but the area studied is not polluted overall. • Heavy metals in the strait are mainly controlled by terrigenous inputs. • Heavy metals in the Laotieshan Channel are strongly affected by the ocean current. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticides are widely used to protect crops but can also threaten public health as they can remain in the environment for a long time. Additionally, some transformation products (TPs) of unknown toxicity, stability, or bioaccumulation properties can further be formed from the hydrolysis, photolysis and biodegradation of pesticides. The identification and quantification of those TPs can be challenging for environmental regulation and risk assessment due to a limited understanding about them. In this study, a suspect screening strategy for pesticide application history was developed and then used to organic products (tea). Liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) was used to screen and identify the TPs in crops and their toxicity was subsequently predicted with the open-source software (ECOSAR and admetSAR). Finally, the SIRIUS software was applied and 142 TPs from 20 pesticides were identified in tea plants based on the fragmentation-degradation relationship. Of these, standards (level 1) and 53 were considered as tentatively identified (levels 2a and 2b). Some TPs were also found to be present in tea plants and soil after 65 days, thus indicating higher persistency or stability than parent pesticides. While others from diafenthiuron and neonicotinoids had higher predicted toxicity of daphnid, and demonstrated positive for honeybee toxicity. Suspect screening is a powerful tool to screen pesticide TPs on the complex matrix of crops. Such screening can provide potential evidence of pesticide application, especially in cases of illegal practices in organic farming. [Display omitted] • 142 transformation products from 20 pesticides were identified in tea plants. • Transformation products were rapidly formed and remain persistent in the environment. • Some transformation products had the higher predicted eco-toxicity. • Some metabolites were found without co-occurrence of their corresponding parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decreased expression of epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin) has been noted to associate with aggressiveness and metastasis of breast cancer. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of C-Terminal EH domain-containing protein 2 (EHD2) expression on E-cadherin and related mechanism in the metastasis of breast cancer. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed in 96 human breast carcinoma samples and the data were correlated with clinicopathologic characteristics. Furthermore, Western blot analysis was performed for EHD2 and E-cadherin in breast carcinoma samples and cell lines to evaluate their protein levels and molecular interaction. We found that the expression of EHD2 was positively related with E-cadherin expression ( P < 0.01), moreover, EHD2 expression was significantly correlated with histologic grade ( P < 0.01). Meanwhile, E-cadherin expression obtained similar results. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that decreased expression of EHD2 and E-cadherin exhibited a significant correlation with poor prognosis in human breast cancer ( P < 0.01). While in vitro, we employed siRNA technique to knock down EHD2 expressions and observed their effects on breast cancer cells growth. EHD2 depletion by siRNA promoted PCNA expression, and it was concurrent with the decreased expression of epithelial marker E-cadherin and the increased expression of N-cadherin by Western blot analysis. Consistent with these observations, the suppression of EHD2 in breast cancer cells remarkably promoted cellular proliferation and migration. On the basis of these results, we suggested that EHD2 can inhibit the metastasis of human breast cancer by regulating the EMT key markers E-cadherin and N-cadherin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A liquid-state method was used in this work to produce Bi-BaTiO materials. The dielectric properties of the samples were measured by a LCR meter. With increasing Bi content, the Multilayer ceramic capacitors display a stronger performance in its dielectric behavior. The best dielectric properties was obtained in the composition x = 0.02 with ɛ = 17561. The dielectric strength of the ceramics was measured by a withstanding voltage tester. The best dielectric strength was achieved in the comp+osition x = 0.02 with E = 4.545 kV mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three linear trinuclear complexes [Zn3L3(HAMP)2] ·2MeOH ( 1), [Zn3L3(HAMP)2] ·2DMF ·2EtOH ( 2), and [Zn3L3(HAMP)2] ·DMF ·EtOH ( 3) were separated from the reactions of ZnII salts with acenaphthenequinone dioxime (H2L) and 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (HAMP) under different reaction conditions. They were structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffractional analysis. All of them present a similar linear trinuclear skeleton with the three ZnII ions linked by three L2- ligands. The coordination arrangements of their terminal ZnII ions and the coordination modes of the two HAMP ancillary ligands are different. 1 has two five-coordinate bipyramidal terminal ZnII ions with the two HAMP molecules chelated to the two terminal ZnII ions, while the two terminal metal ions in 3 are both tetracoordinate in tetrahedral arrangements with the two HAMP molecules in monodentate coordination modes. However, 2 shows different coordination modes (bipyramidal and tetrahedral) for the two terminal ZnII ions with the two HAMP molecules in chelated and monodentate coordination modes, respectively. Their luminescent properties were also investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain degeneration and is associated with a high prevalence of sleep disorders. Amyloid β peptide-42/40 (Aβ42/40) and Tau-pT181 are the core biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid and blood. Accumulated data from studies in mouse models and humans demonstrated an aberrant elevation of these biomarkers due to sleep disturbance, especially sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). However, it is not clear if sleep quality improvement reduces the blood levels of Ab42/40 ratio and Tau-pT181 in Alzheimer's disease patients. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, a longitudinal analysis was conducted on 64 patients with mild–moderate cognition impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer's disease accompanied by SDB. Another 33 MCI cases without sleep-disordered breathing were included as the control group. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score system. Neuropsychological assessments were conducted using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), 24-h Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD-24), and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) scoring systems. Aβ42, Aβ40, and Tau-pT181 protein levels in blood specimens were measured using ELISA assays. All patients received donepezil treatment for Alzheimer's disease. SDB was managed with continuous pressure ventilation. Results: A significant correlation was found among PSQI, HRSD-24, HAMA, Aβ42/40 ratio, and Tau-pT181 level in all cases. In addition, a very strong and negative correlation was discovered between education level and dementia onset age. Compared to patients without SDB (33 non-SD cases), patients with SDB (64 SD cases) showed a significantly lower HRSD-24 score and a higher Aβ42/40 ratio Tau-pT181 level. Sleep treatment for patients with SDB significantly improved all neuropsychological scores, Aβ42/40 ratio, and Tau-pT181 levels. However, 11 patients did not completely recover from a sleep disorder (PSQI > 5 post-treatment). In this subgroup of patients, although HAMA score and Tau-pT181 levels were significantly reduced, MoCA and HRSD-24 scores, as well as Aβ42/40 ratio, were not significantly improved. ROC analysis found that the blood Aβ42/40 ratio held the highest significance in predicting sleep disorder occurrence. Conclusions: This is the first clinical study on sleep quality improvement in Alzheimer's disease patients. Sleep quality score was associated with patient depression and anxiety scores, as well as Aβ42/40 ratio and Tau-pT181 levels. A complete recovery is critical for fully improving all neuropsychological assessments, Aβ42/40 ratio, and Tau-pT181 levels. Blood Aβ42/40 ratio is a feasible prognostic factor for predicting sleep quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A soft bionic caudal fin is designed with driving and variable stiffness fins. • A dynamic nonlinear system is established for the driving fins. • Finite-time convergence is realized for the dynamic nonlinear system. This paper introduces a finite-time tracking control method for a pneumatic soft bionic caudal fin with driving fins and variable stiffness fins. Designs, fabrications and kinematic modelling are shown for the pneumatic soft bionic caudal fin. Based on a kinematic model, a dynamic nonlinear system is established for the driving fins in the pneumatic soft bionic caudal fin. A nonlinear error feedback controller is designed for the pneumatic soft bionic caudal fin via an extended state observer based on a second-order finite-time tracking differentiator. Finite-time convergence of tracking error is proved by Lyapunov approach for the dynamic nonlinear system. Finally, experimental and simulation results are shown to verify the effectiveness for the design of the pneumatic soft bionic caudal fin and the proposed control method of the dynamic nonlinear system, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Dead-zones of pneumatic artificial muscles are considered in system modeling. • Total disturbances are estimated by a nonlinear extended state observer. • An adaptive control law is proposed to handle dead-zones parameters. This paper proposes an adaptive control method for a motion mechanism of pneumatic artificial muscles based on a nonlinear extended state observer. The motion mechanism of pneumatic artificial muscles is modeled as a dynamic nonlinear system. Dead-zones of the pneumatic artificial muscles are considered in modeling the dynamic nonlinear system. The nonlinear extended state observer is designed to estimate total disturbances for the dynamic nonlinear system. Moreover, the dead-zones are dealt with by an adaptive control law for the dynamic nonlinear system. The effectiveness of the proposed adaptive control method is proved by angle tracking control experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant hormones play an important role in the chemical metabolism of postharvest plants. However, alterations in plant hormones of postharvest tea and their potential modulation of quality-related metabolites are unknown. In this study, the dynamic alterations of abscisic acid (ABA), salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), and critical metabolites, such as catechins, theanine, and caffeine, in tea leaves were analyzed during withering from 0 to 24 h. It was found that the ABA content increased from 0 to 9 h but decreased thereafter, JA continuously increased, and the SA content showed no significant change. With the exception of gallocatechin (GC) and epicatechin (EC), the amounts of other critical components were significantly reduced at 24 h. Transcriptome analysis showed that compared with 0 h, 2256, 3654, and 1275 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified at 9, 15, and 24 h, respectively. For all comparisons, DEGs corresponding to the pathways of "phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis" and "phenylalanine metabolism", involved in the biosynthesis of catechins, were significantly enriched. Weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) of co-expression genes indicated that many of the modules were only correlated with a specific trait during the withering process; the dark olive-green module, however, was correlated with two traits, ABA and theanine. Our study indicates that withering induced dramatic alterations in gene transcription as well as levels of hormones (ABA, JA, and SA) and important components, and that ABA regulated theanine metabolism during this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar water purification (SWP) has been considered as one of the most sustainable techniques to address clean water shortage problem. Although significant strategies have been proposed to explore portable SWP device, many challenges, such as complicated fabrication, high costs and poor practicability, still remain to be solved. Here, a facilely and integrally designed Bi 2 S 3 /poly (vinylidene fluoride) (BP) composites based on polyurethane (PU) Sponges (PBP composites) is reported. The PBP composites consist of integrated structures, in which multiple internal reflections guarantee sufficient harvest of incident light and tip thermal effects of chrysanthemum-like Bi 2 S 3 ensure efficient solar thermal conversion, and porous BP endows it with adequate water supply, thus exhibiting a high water evaporation rate of 1.66 kg m−2 h−1 and a solar thermal efficiency of 92.9% under one sun irradiation. This bionic optical design and heat management design may provide a new inspiration to utilize solar energy in water purification and other related applications. The PBP composites can self-float on the water surface and realize a superb solar evaporation rate of 1.66 kg m−2 h−1 and a solar thermal efficiency of 92.9% under one sun irradiation. Image 1 • Bi 2 S 3 /poly (vinylidene fluoride) composites on polyurethane sponges (PBP) are designed. • The PBP composites are fabricated via a nonsolvent-induced phase-inversion approach. • The PBP composites can self-float on the water surface. • A solar evaporation rate of 1.66 kg m−2 h−1 was obtained under 1 sun irradiation. • The PBP composites exhibit excellent durability, mechanical and chemical stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated skin condition. Although biologic treatments are effective in controlling psoriasis, some patients do not respond or lose response to these therapies. Thus, new strategies for psoriasis treatment are still urgently needed. Double-negative T cells (DNT) play a significant immunoregulatory role in autoimmune diseases. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the protective effect of DNT in psoriasis and explore the underlying mechanism. Methods: We conducted a single adoptive transfer of DNT into an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis mouse model through tail vein injection. The skin inflammation and IL-17A producing γδ T cells were evaluated. Results: DNT administration significantly reduced the inflammatory response in mouse skin, characterized by decreased skin folds, scales, and red patches. After DNT treatment, the secretion of IL-17A by RORc+ γδlow T cells in the skin was selectively suppressed, resulting in an amelioration of skin inflammation. Transcriptomic data suggested heightened expression of NKG2D ligands in γδlow T cells within the mouse model of psoriasis induced by IMQ. When blocking the NKG2D ligand and NKG2D (expressed by DNT) interaction, the cytotoxic efficacy of DNT against RORc+IL17A+ γδlow T cells was attenuated. Using Ccr5−/− DNT for treatment yielded evidence that DNT migrates into inflamed skin tissue and fails to protect IMQ-induced skin lesions. Conclusions: DNT could migrate to inflamed skin tissue through CCR5, selectively inhibit IL-17-producing γδlow T cells and finally ameliorate mouse psoriasis. Our study provides feasibility for using immune cell therapy for the prevention and treatment of psoriasis in the clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a facile approach to prepare high density of tiny Pt nanoparticles less than 3 nm loaded on the polyaniline hollow tubes in uniform way. Polyaniline hollow tubes in diameter of micro size are synthesized via the polymerization of aniline onto the template of sulfonated electrospun polystyrene fibers, followed by the removal of core polystyrene fibers. The as-prepared highly crystalline Pt nanoparticles on the surface of polyaniline microtubes show the much higher electrochemical active surface area of 90.49 m2/g, high mass catalytic current density, good durability toward the methanol oxidation reaction as well as the excellent carbon monoxide tolerance. The hollow-structure-conductive-polymer- based synthesis strategy for high performance catalyst in this study could be applied to produce other catalysts with the enhanced activities. Unlabelled Image • Polyaniline microtubes (PANI MTs) were made by an electrospun-fibers- template-mediated method. • 3 nm Pt nanoparticles were on-site formed onto PANI MTs surfaces in dispersive way. • Pt 3 /PANI MTs show the effective electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation in alkaline media. • Pt 3 /PANI MTs catalysts hold good stability and the tolerance to CO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with dyslipidemia and mild cognitive impairment. This study investigated the relationships between serum lipids metabolism, cognition, and functional connectivity (FC) within and between brain networks in T2D patients. The study included 102 T2D patients and 45 healthy controls who underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging, lipid profile tests, and cognitive assessments. Thirteen functional networks were identified using independent component analysis. The statistical analyses included multivariate analysis of covariance, partial correlation, canonical correlation, and mediation analyses. We found widely reduced between-network FCs in T2D, especially between the ventral sensorimotor network (SMN) and dorsal attention network (DAN) (p = 0.001) and between the ventral SMN and lateral visual network (VN) (p < 0.001). Moreover, lower between-network FCs were correlated with worse serum lipids metabolism and poorer cognitive performance (all p < 0.05). Importantly, between-network FCs mediated the relationship between lipid metabolism and cognition (β = −0.3136, 95% CI: −0.7660, −0.0186). Within-network analyses revealed altered FCs within the anterior default mode network, DAN, and lateral VN, each positively correlated with global cognition (all p < 0.01). Our results suggest the potential of improving cognitive function by regulating serum lipids in individuals with T2D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the criteria, safety and efficacy of laparoscopic surgery in pediatric neuroblastoma (NB). Methods: A retrospective study of 87 patients with NB without image-defined risk factors (IDRFs) between December 2016 and January 2021 at Beijing Children's Hospital was conducted. Patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical procedure. Results: Between the 87 patients, there were 54 (62.07%) cases in the open surgery group and 33 (37.93%) cases in the laparoscopic surgery group. There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding demographic characteristics, genomic and biological features, operating time or postoperative complications. However, in terms of intraoperative bleeding (p = 0.013) and the time to start postoperative feeding after surgery (p = 0.002), the laparoscopic group was obviously better than the open group. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the prognosis between the two groups, and no recurrence or death was observed. Conclusion: For children with localized NB who have no IDRFs, laparoscopic surgery could be performed safely and effectively. Surgeons who are skilled in this can help children reduce surgical injuries, speed up postoperative recovery, and obtain the same prognosis as open surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nano-selenium (nano-Se) and melatonin (MT) applications confirmed to boost plant growth and resistance. The mechanism of various ratios of nano-Se and MT foliar application postpone the senescence of fresh cut carnation flowers and improve vase life remains unclear. In this study, a combined effect with nano-Se (nano-Se5, 5 mg/L) and MT(MT1, 1 mg/L) was preferable to the control, nano-Se, and MT treatment alone when it came to delaying flower senescence. They enhance the antioxidant ability of carnation flowers by lowering MDA and H 2 O 2 levels, raising SOD and POD concentrations, and lowering procyanidins biosynthesis (catechins and epicatechin). Inducing the biosynthesis of hormonal compounds (salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and abscisic acid), their combination also boosted the growth of carnations. Biofortification with nano-Se and MT substantially increased the amounts of key lignin biosynthesis pathway metabolites (L-phenylalanine, p- hydroxycinnamic acid, p -coumaric acid, perillyl alcohol, p- Coumaryl alcohol, and cinnamic acid), which may increase stem cellular thickness and facilitate water absorption and transmission. The study hypothesizes that nano-Se and MT synergistic applications act as a new efficient non-toxic preservative to extend the vase life and improve the decorative value of carnations. • Nano-Se and MT prolong fresh-cut carnations more than their individual treatments. • Enhancing the antioxidant capacity regulated the procyanidins synthesis. • Inducing the biosynthesis of JA, SA, and ABA boosted the growth of carnations. • Key lignin biosynthesis pathway metabolites were upregulated by nano-Se and MT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The critical mechanisms underlying the microbiome assembly in the tea plants are revealed. • There is a trade-off between stochastic and deterministic processes in microbiome assembly in the tea plants. • Assembly processes were dominated by deterministic processes in bulk and rhizosphere soils. • The stochastic processes in roots and leaves was critically driven by amino acids for environmental selection. • The core taxa assembled in phyllosphere could attenuate the virulence of a prevalent foliar pathogen. Assembly and co-occurrence of the host co-evolved microbiota are essential ecological and evolutionary processes, which is not only crucial for managing individual plant fitness but also ecological function. However, understanding of the microbiome assembly and co-occurrence in higher plants is not well understood. The tea plant was shown to contribute the forest fitness due to the microbiome assembled in the phyllosphere; the landscape of microbiome assembly in the tea plants and its potential implication on phyllosphere homestasis still remains untangled. This study aimed to deciphering of the microbiome networks of the tea plants at a continental scale. It would provide fundamental insights into the factors driving the microbiome assembly, with an extended focus on the resilience towards the potential pathogen in the phyllosphere. We collected 225 samples from 45 locations spanning approximately 2000-km tea growing regions across China. By integration of high-throughput sequencing data, physicochemical properties profiling and bioinformatics analyses, we investigated continental scale microbiome assembly and co-occurrence in the tea plants. Synthetic assemblages, interaction assay and RT-qPCR were further implemented to analyze the microbial interaction indexed in phyllosphere. A trade-off between stochastic and deterministic processes in microbiomes community assembly was highlighted. Assembly processes were dominated by deterministic processes in bulk and rhizosphere soils, and followed by stochastic processes in roots and leaves with amino acids as critical drivers for environmental selection. Sphingobacteria and Proteobacteria ascended from soils to leaves to sustain a core leaf taxa. The core taxa formed a close association with a prevalent foliar pathogen in the co-occurrence network and significantly attenuated the expression of a set of essential virulence genes in pathogen. Our study unveils the mechanism underpinning microbiome assembly in the tea plants, and a potential implication of the microbiome-mediated resilience framework on the phyllosphere homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a novel solution to accurately reconstruct three-dimensional temperature field for combustion flame. Traditional flame temperature field reconstruction methods ignore the effects of flame refraction. However, flame is a kind of inhomogeneous medium, traveling inside which the light rays will be bent. The neglect of refraction will lead to poor accuracy of the reconstructed results. In this paper, we propose a new model to establish the relationship between the flame radiation and the radiance field, which fully considers the refractive effect of the refraction index changing. We use high dynamic range (HDR) cameras to take flame images, calculate temperature from radiance with a lookup table between them, and put forward an algorithm to reconstruct the flame temperature field. The experimental results on real flame accord with the physical facts, which demonstrate the validation of our solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selenium (Se) maintains soil-plant homeostasis in the rhizosphere and regulates signaling molecules to mitigate cadmium (Cd) toxicity. However, there has been no systematic investigation of the effects of nano-selenium (nano-Se) on the regulation of non-target metabolites and nutritional components in pepper plants under Cd stress. This study investigated the effects of Cd-contaminated soil stress and nano-Se (1, 5, and 20 mg/L) on the metabolic mechanism, fruit nutritional quality, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) composition of pepper plants. The screening of differential metabolites in roots and fruit showed that most were involved in amino acid metabolism and capsaicin production. Amino acids in roots (Pro, Trp, Arg, and Gln) and fruits (Phe, Glu, Pro, Arg, Trp, and Gln) were dramatically elevated by nano-Se biofortification. The expression of genes of the phenylpropane-branched fatty acid pathway (BCAT, Fat, AT3, HCT, and Kas) was induced by nano-Se (5 mg/L), increasing the levels of capsaicin (29.6%), nordihydrocapsaicin (44.2%), and dihydrocapsaicin (45.3%). VOCs (amyl alcohol, linalool oxide, E-2-heptaldehyde, 2-hexenal, ethyl crotonate, and 2-butanone) related to crop resistance and quality were markedly increased in correspondence with the nano-Se concentration. Therefore, nano-Se can improve the health of pepper plants by regulating the capsaicin metabolic pathway and modulating both amino acid and VOC contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Mechanistic insights into host-metabolite-driven microbiota assembly were obtained. • Tea plants can maintain a functional microbiota during shoot development. • The main drivers of microbial community assembly were identified. • Metabolite-responsive microbiota suppresses various tree pathogens in vitro and in vivo. • Establishment of tea plantations in the proximity of forests was linked to reduced disease incidence. A broad spectrum of rhizosphere bacteria and fungi were shown to play a central role for health, fitness and productivity of their host plants. However, implications of host metabolism on microbiota assembly in the phyllosphere and potential consequences for holobiont functioning were sparsely addressed. Previous observations indicated that tea plants might reduce disease occurrence in various forests located in their proximity; the underlying mechanisms and potential implications of the phyllosphere microbiota remained elusive. This study aimed at deciphering microbiome assembly in the tea plant phyllosphere throughout shoot development as well as elucidating potential implications of host metabolites in this process. The main focus was to explore hidden interconnections between the homeostasis of the phyllosphere microbiome and resistance to fungal pathogens. Profiling of host metabolites and microbiome analyses based on high-throughput sequencing were integrated to identify drivers of microbiome assembly throughout shoot development in the phyllosphere of tea plants. This was complemented by tracking of beneficial microorganisms in all compartments of the plant. Synthetic assemblages (SynAss), bioassays and field surveys were implemented to verify functioning of the phyllosphere microbiota. Theophylline and epigallocatechin gallate, two prevalent metabolites at the early and late shoot development stage respectively, were identified as the main drivers of microbial community assembly. Flavobacterium and Myriangium were distinct microbial responders at the early stage, while Parabacteroides and Mortierella were more enriched at the late stage. Reconstructed, stage-specific SynAss suppressed various tree phytopathogens by 13.0%-69.3% in vitro and reduced disease incidence by 8.24%-41.3% in vivo. The findings indicate that a functional phyllosphere microbiota was assembled along with development-specific metabolites in tea plants, which continuously suppressed prevalent fungal pathogens. The insights gained into the temporally resolved metabolite response of the tea plant microbiota could provide novel solutions for disease management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfonylurea (SU) herbicides are widely used and often detected in environmental matrices and have toxic effects on ecosystems and plant development. However, the interaction between SU and soil-plant metabolism during the whole wheat growth cycle remains poorly investigated. Field trials demonstrated that bensulfuron methyl exposure reduced wheat height and a thousand grains' weight, disrupting the critical metabolic pathways, including linoleic acid and amino acid metabolism in the maturity stage. During different growth processes, bensulfuron methyl exposure decreases wheat soil and plants' defense-related indole alkaloid compounds, such as benzoxazinoids and melatonin. Microbial sequencing results showed that bensulfuron methyl treated decreased the abundance of beneficial microorganisms (Gammaproteobacteria , Bacteroidia , and Blastocatella) in the rhizosphere soil, which positively correlated with the inhibition of soil enzyme activity and the secretion of allelopathic substances (benzoxazinoids and melatonin). Molecular docking further confirmed that bensulfuron methyl affects protein molecular structure by establishing hydrogen bonds, which disequilibrate wheat benzoxazinoids and melatonin metabolism. Therefore, bensulfuron methyl exposure disrupted the interaction between soil microorganisms and indole alkaloid metabolism, hindering plant development. This study provides constructive insights into the environmental risks of herbicides and agricultural product safety throughout wheat development. [Display omitted] • Bensulfuron methyl exposure reduces wheat height and a thousand grains' weight. • Bensulfuron methyl lowers wheat plant defense-related indole alkaloid chemicals. • Reducing metabolite secretion and microbe's richness disturb plant-soil signaling conduction. • Bensulfuron methyl occupies the binding site of nutritional and defense proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent research has underscored the significance of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in various cancers, including neuroblastoma (NB). Specifically, circ-SHPRH, a unique circRNA, has been revealed to inhibit tumor growth by sequestering miRNAs or producing the SHPRH-146aa protein. To explore circ-SHPRH's involvement in NB and its potential application in gene therapy, this study examined circ-SHPRH expression in 94 NB tissues and cell lines (SK–N-BE(2), SH-SY5Y) using real-time PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Functional assays encompassing both overexpression and knockdown experiments in NB cell lines, as well as in vivo investigations, were conducted. RNA-seq analysis revealed a correlation between circ-SHPRH and the pathway of P21 (CDKN1A), a pivotal cell cycle regulator. Validation through PCR and other techniques confirmed that circ-SHPRH upregulated P21 expression. Furthermore, the regulatory role of circ-SHPRH in the P21-CDK pathway was corroborated through SHPRH-146aa expression analysis. Notably, adenovirus-mediated circ-SHPRH overexpression effectively curbed NB tumor growth in NSG mice, while combining circ-SHPRH with everolimus exhibited potential for NB treatment. This study elucidates the remarkable significance of circ-SHPRH in NB and its prospective utility in gene therapy, thereby paving the way for innovative therapeutic approaches. • Downregulation of Circ-SHPRH in NB Cells and High-Risk NB Patients (INRG). • Circ-SHPRH significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of NB cells. • Regulation of the P21-CDK Pathway by Circ-SHPRH via SHPRH-146aa Expression. • The cell cycle progression of NB could be arrested by circ-SHPRH through P21-CDK Pathway. • Potential of Circ-SHPRH as a Critical Gene Therapy Drug for NB treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensively applied glufosinate (GLU) will trigger molecular alterations in nontarget tea plants (Camellia sinensis), which inadvertently disturbs metabolites and finally affects tea quality. The mechanistic response of tea plants to GLU remains unexplored. This study investigated GLU residue behavior, the impact on photosynthetic capacity, specialized metabolites, secondary pathways, and transcript levels in tea seedlings. Here, GLU mainly metabolized to MPP and accumulated more in mature leaves than in tender ones. GLU catastrophically affected photosynthesis, leading to leaf chlorosis, and decreased Fv/Fm and chlorophyll content. Physiological and biochemical, metabolomics, and transcriptomics analyses were integrated. Showing that GLU disrupted the photosynthetic electron transport chain, triggered ROS and antioxidant system, and inhibited photosynthetic carbon fixation. GLU targeted glutamine synthetase (GS) leading to the accumulation of ammonium and the inhibition of key umami L-theanine, causing a disorder in nitrogen metabolism, especially for amino acids synthesis. Interestingly, biosynthesis of primary flavonoids was sacrificed for defensive phenolic acids and lignin formulation, leading to possible losses in nutrition and tenderness in leaves. This study revealed the defense intricacies and potential quality deterioration of tea plants responding to GLU stress. Valuable insights into detoxification mechanisms for non-target crops post-GLU exposure were offered. [Display omitted] • Tea leaves color, chlorophyll levels, and relative fluorescence intensity are severely affected under glufosinate. • Glufosinate disrupts the photosynthetic electron transport chain, triggers ROS and antioxidant system. • Glufosinate triggers glutamine synthetase, reducing umami L-theanine synthesis and disturbing nitrogen metabolism. • Glufosinate redirects biosynthesis, sacrificing primary flavonoids for defensive phenolic acids and lignin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(Ca 0.22 Li 0.39 Sm 0.39)TiO 3 + x mol SmAlO 3 (0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, 0.1) (CLST + x SA) ceramics were synthesized by a solid-state reaction method. CLST + x SA solid solution ceramics with an orthorhombic perovskite structure (pnma (62) (42–0423)) were obtained and verified by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Structural refinement and Raman spectra were used to investigate the effect of SmAlO 3 doping on the microstructure and lattice vibration of CLST ceramics. The Q × f value showed a significant increase from 4754.9 to 6207.5 GHz with increasing SA doping content. The permittivity ε r decreased from 109 to 87.4, and the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency τ ƒ decreased from 7.38 to −20.76 ppm °C−1. The optimal microwave dielectric properties of ε r = 98.7, Q × f = 5667.7 GHz and τ f = −1.5 ppm °C−1 were obtained in CLST + x SA (x = 0.04) ceramics sintered at 1260 °C. Image 1 • The analysis results of Raman spectra indicated the variation of degree of A-site cation ordering and short-range ordering effects of B-site cation.. • The calculation results of microstructural parameters reveal that the decrease of ε r was attributed to the ionic polarizability decreased. • Decrease of τ f can be explained by the increase of tolerance factor and A-site bond valence of perovskite structure. • Packing fraction and degree of cation ordering play the most important role in the quality factor. • The optimal microwave dielectric properties with ε r ∼ 98.7, Q× f ∼ 5667.7 GHz and τ f ∼ -1.5 ppm ℃-1 were obtained.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neuroblastoma (NB) tumor rupture is a rare oncology emergency with a poor prognosis. We aimed to evaluate patient clinical characteristics and risk factors for ruptured NB.Methods: A retrospective study of 47 patients with confirmed NB rupture between January 2009 and January 2019 at Beijing Children's Hospital was conducted. To identify tumor rupture risk factors in high-risk NB patients, we included 93 consecutive non-ruptured high-risk NB patients from January 2017 to January 2019.Results: The median age at presentation was 29 months (adrenal and retroperitoneum origin) for 47 ruptured NB patients. Spontaneous tumor rupture occurred in 22 cases; 18 cases occurred during or after the first chemotherapy cycle, and 7 occurred after core needle biopsy. Five patients died of tumor rupture, and 17 patients' parents refused further antitumor therapy. Among the 25 remaining patients, 6 survived without disease, 5 received ongoing treatment and achieved stable disease, and 14 died. According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, a maximum primary tumor diameter > 13.20 cm and MYCN gene amplification were independent risk factors for tumor rupture within high-risk NB.Conclusions: Tumor rupture is an uncommon, life-threatening event for NB patients; these patients are most likely to have poor outcomes due to tumor recurrence or rapid progression. Several treatment modalities, including symptomatic support therapy and chemotherapy, are important for saving lives and for developing NB risk-based treatment in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the safety, feasibility, and complications of using duodenum-preserving pancreas head resection (DPPHR) to treat pediatric benign and low-grade malignant pancreatic head tumors. Patients with pancreatic head tumors that underwent resection were retrospectively analyzed for perioperative factors and postoperative complications. Thirty-five patients with a median age of 10 years at diagnosis were identified. Patients were divided by procedures into the DPPHR (n = 22), local enucleation (n = 7) and pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD, n = 6) groups. No significant difference was found in operation time between the DPPHR and PPPD groups (P > 0.05). Significantly, longer drainage time, duration of somatostatin use and hospital stay were observed in the DPPHR group than in the PPPD group (P < 0.05). The incidences of short-term complications were not significantly different among the three groups (P > 0.05). The incidence of long-term complications was markedly lower in both the DPPHR and local enucleation groups than in the PPPD group (P < 0.05). DPPHR might be a safe treatment option for pediatric patients with benign and low-grade malignant pancreatic head tumors. The incidence of long-term complications was significantly lower with DPPHR. However, perioperative management might be challenging for surgeons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The powder samples of Na 0.5 Bi 0.5 TiO 3 - Ba 0.7- x La x Sr 0.3 Sn 0.1 Ti 0.9-0.25 x O 3 (NBT-BLSST) have been prepared successfully by a wet solid-phase method. The effects of La-doping on morphology, temperature stability and dielectric properties of NBT-BLSST ceramic samples have been investigated in detail. The XRD results show that the composites possess tetragonal perovskite phase structure. The dense phase morphology of NBT-BLSST is observed by scanning electron microscopy. The dielectric constant of ceramic samples can reach 4618 while the La doping is 0.8 mol%. The dielectric loss of capacitance is below 0.097. The temperature coefficient of capacitance varies from −15.02% to 16.13% in the temperature range between −55 °C and 200 °C. The temperature characteristic of capacitance is very close to EIA X9R specifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NK cells are one of key immune components in neuroblastoma (NB) surveillance and eradication. Glucose metabolism as a major source of fuel for NK activation is exquisitely regulated. Our data revealed a diminished NK activation and a disproportionally augmented CD56bright subset in NB. Further study showed that NK cells in NB presented with an arrested glycolysis accompanied by an elevated expression of the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) EPB41L4A-AS1, a known crucial participant in glycolysis regulation, in the CD56bright NK subset. The inhibitory function of lncRNA EPB41L4A-AS1 was recapitulated. Interestingly, our study demonstrated that exosomal lncRNA EPB41L4A-AS1 was transferrable from CD56bright NK to CD56dim NK and was able to quench the glycolysis of target NK. Our data demonstrated that an arrested glycolysis in patient NK cells was associated with an elevated lncRNA in CD56bright NK subset and a cross-talk between heterogeneous NK subsets was achieved by transferring metabolic inhibitory lncRNA through exosomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ophiocordyceps sinensis (DCXC) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine that exhibits various health-promoting effects. However, counterfeits and mimics of DCXC are frequently found in markets. In the present study, we examined the potential of quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (QTOF–MS) coupled with ultrafast liquid chromatography (UFLC) for use in the authentication of DCXC. Metabolite fingerprinting was obtained and subjected to multivariate statistical analysis. Discrimination of genuine DCXC, its counterfeits, cultured mycelia, and mimics was carried out by principal component analysis–discriminant analysis (PCA–DA). Furthermore, 18 characteristic markers efficiently distinguishing DCXC and its adulterants were selected by creation of profile plots displaying the abundances of markers. Determination of molecular formulae and tentative identification of marker compounds were conducted using elemental formula calculation and online database searches based on accurate MS mass and MS/MS fragmentation information. These results suggested that UFLC–QTOF-based metabolomics has great potential for the rapid detection of DCXC adulteration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A liquid chromatography quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometry method with fast polarity switching and a scheduled multiple reaction monitoring algorithm mode was developed for multiclass screening and identification of lipophilic marine biotoxins in bivalve molluscs. A major advantage of the method is that it can detect members of all six groups of lipophilic marine biotoxins [okadaic acid (OA), yessotoxins (YTX), azaspiracids (AZA), pectenotoxins (PTX), cyclic imines (CI), and brevetoxins (PbTx)], thereby allowing quantification and high confidence identification from a single liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) injection. An enhanced product ion (EPI) library was constructed after triggered collection of data via information-dependent acquisition (IDA) of EPI spectra from standard samples. A separation method for identifying 17 target toxins in a single analysis within 12min was developed and tested. Different solid phase extraction sorbents, the matrix effect (for oyster, scallop, and mussel samples), and stability of the standards also were evaluated. Matrix-matched calibration was used for quantification of the toxins. The limits of detection were 0.12-13.6µg/kg, and the limits of quantification were 0.39-45.4µg/kg. The method was used to analyze 120 shellfish samples collected from farming areas along the coast of China, and 7% of the samples were found to be contaminated with toxins. The library search identified PbTx-3, YTX, OA, PTX2, AZA1, AZA2, and desmethylspirolide C (SPX1). Overall, the method exhibited excellent sensitivity and reproducibility, and it will have broad applications in the monitoring of lipophilic marine biotoxins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]