Search

Renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) is one malignancy whose development and prognosis have been associated with aberrant DHRS7 expression. However, the catalytic activity and pathophysiology of KIRC are poorly understood, and no sensitive tumor biomarkers have yet been discovered. In our study, we examined the significant influence of DHRS7 on the tumor microenvironment (TME) and tumor progression using an overall predictable and prognostic evaluation approach. We found novel cancer staging, particularly in KIRC, as well as potential therapeutic drugs out of 27 drug sensitivity tests. Using Perl scripts, it was possible to determine the number of somatic mutations present in 33 tumors, as well as the relative scores of 22 immune cells using CIBERSORT, the relationship between immune infiltration and differential expression using TCGA data, and the immune microenvironment score using the estimate technique. Our results show that DHRS7 is abnormally expressed in pan-cancer patients, which influences their survival. Low DHRS7 expression was associated with late clinical stages and a low survival rate in KIRC patients, suggesting a poor prognosis and course of treatment, in HNSG, MESO, and KIRC patients. We also found that DHRS7 was associated with TMB and MSI in certain tumors. Using KIRC as an example, we discovered a negative correlation between DHRS7 expression and immunological assessments, suggesting that this substance might be used as a tumor biomarker.

Summary: Through a three-step study that relies on biomarker discovery, training, and validation, we identified a set of five exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) that can be used to evaluate the risk of gallbladder carcinoma (GBC), including miR-552-3p, miR-581, miR-4433a-3p, miR-496, and miR-203b-3p. When validated in 102 GBC patients and 112 chronic cholecystitis patients from multiple medical centers, the AUC of this combinatorial biomarker was 0.905, with a sensitivity of 81.37% and a specificity of 86.61%. The performance of this biomarker is superior to that of the standard biomarkers CA199 and CEA and is suited for GBC early diagnosis. The multi-clinicopathological features and prognosis of GBC patients were significantly associated with this biomarker. After building a miRNA-target gene regulation network, cell functions and signaling pathways regulated by these five miRNAs were examined. This biomarker signature can be used in the development of a noninvasive tool for GBC diagnosis, screening and prognosis prediction.

ObjectiveThe study aims to assess two refractive instrument-based methods of vision screening (SureSight and PlusoptiX) to detect refractive amblyopia risk factors (ARFs) and significant refractive errors in Chinese preschool children and to develop referral criteria according to the 2021 AAPOS guidelines.MethodsEye examinations were conducted in children aged 61 to 72 months (n = 1,173) using a PlusoptiX photoscreener, SureSight autorefractor, and cycloplegic retinoscopy (CR). The Vision Screening Committee of AAPOS's preschool vision screening guidelines from 2021 were adopted for comparison. Paired t-test analysis and Bland–Altman plots were used to assess the differences and agreement between the PlusoptiX photoscreener, SureSight autorefractor, and CR. In addition, the validity of the cut-off values of the several ARFs measured with the SureSight and PlusoptiX was estimated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and compared to the age-based 2021 AAPOS examination failure levels.ResultsA total of 1,173 children were tested with comprehensive eye examinations. When the referral numbers based on the 2013 (43/3.67%) and 2021 (42/3.58%) AAPOS guidelines were compared, significant differences between the values of astigmatism (72.09 vs. 52.38%) and anisometropia (11.63 vs. 38.10%) were found. The 95% limits of agreement (LOA) of the spherical value and the cylindrical value between PlusoptiX and CR were 95.08 and 96.29%. It was 93.87 and 98.10% between SureSight and CR. Considering refractive failure levels, the ROC curves obtained the optimal cut-off points. However, the PlusoptiX and the SureSight showed lower efficiency in hyperopia (Youden index, 0.60 vs. 0.83) and myopia (Youden index, 078 vs. 0.93), respectively. After adjusting the above cut-off points, the optimized NES (Nanjing Eye Study) referral criteria for myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and anisometropia were –0.75, 1.25, –1.0, and 0.5 with PlusoptiX and –1.25, 2.75, –1.5, and 0.75 with SureSight.ConclusionsSureSight and PlusoptiX showed a good correlation with CR and could effectively detect refractive ARFs and visually significant refractive errors. There were obvious advantages in detecting hyperopia using SureSight and myopia using PlusoptiX. We proposed instrumental referral criteria for age-based preschool children based on AAPOS 2021 guidelines.

The yak (Bos grunniens), an indigenous bovine on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau (QTP), is reported to digest low quality forage to a greater extent and to require less protein and energy for maintenance than the introduced Qaidam cattle (Bos taurus). Ruminal bacteria play a major role in feed degradation, and therefore, we hypothesized that ruminal bacteria composition would differ between yaks and cattle, and confer an advantage to yaks for poor quality diets. To test our hypothesis, we determined the ruminal bacteria profiles, rumen fermentation parameters, and enzyme activities in these bovine species consuming a low-protein diet differing in energy level. Six castrated yaks (155 ± 5.8 kg) and 6 castrated Qaidam cattle (154 ± 8.0 kg) were used in two concurrent 4 × 4 Latin square designs with 2 additional animals of each species in each period. The animals were offered a low-protein diet of 70.4 g/kg dry matter (DM) and one of four metabolizable energy levels, namely 6.62, 8.02, 9.42, and 10.80 MJ/kg. Ruminal pH, concentrations of ammonia-N and total volatile fatty acids (VFAs), the molar proportion of acetate, and the ratio of acetate to propionate (A:P) were greater (P < 0.05), whereas the molar proportion of propionate was lesser (P = 0.043) in yaks than in cattle. With increasing dietary energy level, ruminal pH, the molar proportion of acetate and the ratio of A:P decreased linearly (P < 0.05), whereas, the concentration of total VFAs, molar proportions of propionate, butyrate, iso-butyrate, and iso-valerate and concentration of ammonia-N increased linearly (P < 0.05). The relative abundance (RA) of Firmicutes increased linearly (P < 0.01), whereas, the RA of Bacteroidetes decreased linearly (P < 0.001) with increasing energy level in both bovine species. The RAs of Prevotella and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group decreased linearly (P < 0.05) with increasing energy level in both yaks and cattle. The RAs of fibrolytic (e.g., Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group), and H2-incorporating (e.g., Quinella) bacteria were greater (P < 0.05) in yaks than in cattle. We concluded that the two bovines differ in ruminal bacterial profiles and rumen fermentation parameters, and confer an advantage to yaks over cattle in consuming a low protein diet with differing energy level.

In view of the management of slopes in large mine dumps in semi-arid regions, this study explored different methods for controlling soil erosion and improving the microenvironment of the surface of such slopes. Focusing on microtopography modifications and vegetation measures on the slopes of a large mine dump in a semi-arid region, the soil erosion resistance of the slope was continuously monitored using installed observation plots. In addition, the characteristics of plant communities that thrived on the dump were investigated. The results indicate that the soil erosion resistance, soil organic matter content, and biodiversity increased to different degrees in the large mine dump that experienced microtopography modifications and implemented vegetation measures compared with those of slopes managed only by soil cover and planting. Compared with that in the control plot, under the same vegetation restoration measures, the macroaggregate content in the four plots that implemented microtopography modifications increased by 20%, 24%, 21%, and 30%; the soil erodibility (K-factor) decreased by 7.8%, 8.5%, 10%, and 10.7%; and the soil organic matter increased by 2%, 4.5%, 3.4%, and 4.7%. Microtopography modification consisting of U-shaped blocking boards and fixed rods embedded in the slope, combined with vegetation measures, resulted in a protective effect, which in turn induced the highest diversity, evenness, and richness index values of 2.35, 0.87, and 1.94, respectively. The study results revealed that a combination of microtopography modifications and vegetation measures can be used to achieve effective vegetation restoration, prevent soil erosion, and create different microhabitats, indicating that our approach is an effective way to control critical issues affecting large mine dumps in semi-arid regions.

Bacillus subtilis can secret a variety of substances to improve human and animal gut health via inhibiting the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria. In this study, a fast-growing and stress-resistant strain of Bacillus subtilis M6 (B. subtilis M6) were isolated, which showed a strong antibacterial activity to E. coli K88, S. typhimurium ATCC14028, and S. aureus ATCC25923 in vitro. In vivo studies showed that B. subtilis M6 can significantly improve the average daily gain (ADG) using an AA broiler model. Dietary B. subtilis M6 improved the intestinal morphology. The villus height of jejunum and ileum were significantly increased. The concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the ileal mucosa was significantly reduced in B. subtilis M6 treatment group, which suggested the oxidative stress of the ileum was significantly relieved. Though the β diversity of treatments was not significantly, B. subtilis M6 improved the composition of intestinal microbes, especially at the level of caecum genus, the dominant genus was changed from Ruminococcus to Akkermansia, which indicated the change of intestinal carbohydrate nutrition. In conclusion, these data indicate that the B. subtilis M6 shows a probiotic potential to improve intestinal health via altering gut microbiota.

Pest management has long been a critical aspect of crop protection. Insect behavior is of great research value as an important indicator for assessing insect characteristics. Currently, insect behavior research is increasingly based on the quantification of behavior. Traditional manual observation and analysis methods can no longer meet the requirements of data volume and observation time. In this paper, we propose a method based on region localization combined with an improved 3D convolutional neural network for six grooming behaviors of Bactrocera minax: head grooming, foreleg grooming, fore-mid leg grooming, mid-hind leg grooming, hind leg grooming, and wing grooming. The overall recognition accuracy reached 93.46%. We compared the results obtained from the detection model with manual observations; the average difference was about 12%. This shows that the model reached a level close to manual observation. Additionally, recognition time using this method is only one-third of that required for manual observation, making it suitable for real-time detection needs. Experimental data demonstrate that this method effectively eliminates the interference caused by the walking behavior of Bactrocera minax, enabling efficient and automated detection of grooming behavior. Consequently, it offers a convenient means of studying pest characteristics in the field of crop protection.

The squared momentum transfer spectra of η and η0, produced in high-energy photon–proton (γp) →η(η0)+p processes in electron–proton (ep) collisions performed at CEBAF, NINA, CEA, SLAC, DESY, and WLS are analyzed. The Monte Carlo calculations are used in the analysis of the squared momentum transfer spectra, where the transfer undergoes from the incident γ to emitted η(η0) or equivalently from the target proton to emitted proton. In the calculations, the Erlang distribution and Tsallis–Levy function are used to describe the transverse momentum (pT) spectra of emitted particles. Our results show that the average transverse momentum (⟨pT⟩), the initial-state temperature (Ti), and the final-state temperature (T0) roughly decrease from the lower center-of-mass energy (W) to the higher one in the concerned energy range of a few GeV, which is different from the excitation function from heavy-ion collisions in the similar energy range.

The carbonylation of dimethyl ether (DME) to produce methyl acetate (MA) has a promising prospect in industry. Mordenite (MOR) has been widely studied due to its excellent catalytic activity and high MA selectivity; however, its microporous characteristic limits the intracrystalline diffusion that influences the activity and stability. Therefore, it becomes essential to clarify the relationship between catalytic activity and diffusion. In this study, a series of MOR samples with similar Si/Al contents and aspect ratios, but different sizes, were successfully synthesized by adjusting the synthesis parameters (Si/Al contents in gel, aging time, the amount of water, and alkalinity). Based on quantitative analysis of acid properties and catalyst evaluation, both the apparent turnover frequency of MA (TOFMA) and the stability decrease with the increase in particle size. Diffusion parameter measurements and kinetic analysis via zero length column methods show that the intracrystalline diffusion restriction becomes more serious with increasing particle size. The larger the MOR crystals with enhanced mass transfer limitation that undergo lower activity, the higher the selectivity of byproducts, as well as the faster their deactivation.

The sweet potato transplanters of diverse transplanting configurations have been shown to produce various planting properties in relation to different raised bed cropping systems, thus affecting crop growth and yield in sweet potato cultivation. In Shandong Province, a field experiment assessed the effects of three treatments (RB1, mulched raised beds with a finger-clip type transplanter; RB2, bare raised beds with a finger-clip type transplanter; and RB3, bare raised beds with a clamping-plate type transplanter) on soil temperature, plant growth, yield, and economic benefits. With the lowest coefficient variation of plant spacing and planting depth, the RB1 with the finger-clip type transplanter had 6.4% and 6.0% higher temperature at 5–10 cm soil layer by using the plastic-mulch for rapid early slips growth as compared with the RB2 and the RB3, respectively. Consequently, the leaf area index in the RB1 was increased by 5.6% and 6.4% as compared to the RB2 and the RB3, separately. This finally contributed to 57.5–70.8% greater fresh vines weight and 23.8–33.8% higher tubers yield in the RB1 compared with both the RB2 and the RB3 treatments, respectively. In general, in the mulched raised bed system of the Huang-Huai-Hai region of China, the finger-clip type transplanter could be a suitable option for the transplanting of sweet potato slips. In the bare raised bed system, meanwhile, the clamping-plate type transplanter has the potential to increase the production of sweet potatoes.

This experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary starch-to-fat ratio on reproductive performance and lipid metabolism of sows and newborn piglets. A total of 75 Landrace × Yorkshire multiparous sows at d 84 of gestation were selected and randomly divided into three groups based on body weight. From d 85 of gestation to farrowing, sows were fed one of three dietary starch-to-fat ratios (20:1, 10:1, and 5:1). Dietary high starch-to-fat ratio increased the birth weight of piglets (p < 0.05). The apparent total digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and gross energy of sows was improved by an increasing starch-to-fat ratio during gestation (p < 0.05). Decreased dietary starch-to-fat ratio increased the concentration of plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, and GSH-Px in sows (p < 0.05). During parturition, sows had increased plasma interleukin (IL) -1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor α in the low ratio group (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Streptococcaceae in the low ratio group was significantly higher (p < 0.05). The medium dietary starch-to-fat ratio significantly increased the concentrations of short chain fatty acids. In conclusion, this study suggested that for sows a diet with ahigh starch to fat ratio could ameliorate lipid metabolism disorder and maternal inflammation during late gestation.

Abstract Background Systemic inflammation and nutritional status are associated with tumor development and progression. This study investigated the prognostic value of fibrinogen/albumin ratio index (FARI) in predicting recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) undergoing hepatectomy. Methods A retrospective cohort was conducted including patients who received curative hepatectomy for ICC at our hospital between May 2010 and December 2016. We collected the preoperative hematologic parameters and clinical data of all patients. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve was used to identify the optimal cutoff value of FARI. The association between FARI-high and FARI-low group was investigated by using the Kaplan–Meier method. A nomogram based on the results of univariate and multivariate analysis was established. Results A total of 394 patients with ICC who underwent hepatectomy at our hospital were enrolled. K-M analysis revealed that increased FARI was related to reduced RFS (P < 0.001). The multivariate analysis indicated that tumor number, tumor–node–metastasis stage, lymph node metastasis, cirrhosis, serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9, and FARI were independent predictors of RFS, and the ROC curve analysis showed that the optimal cutoff value for FARI was 0.084 based on the Youden index. The nomogram for FARI showed satisfactory accuracy in predicting RFS for ICC patients undergoing hepatectomy (C index = 0.663; AIC = 3081.07). Conclusion Preoperative FARI is an independent predictor of RFS in patients undergoing hepatectomy for ICC, and the nomogram can be useful for clinical decision-making in the postoperative management of these patients.

Abstract Backgrounds Myopia has become a global public health problem. Children with early onset of myopia are at particular risk of complications associated with myopia. Younger children and children with greater initial myopic refractive errors are at a greater risk of myopia progression. Therefore, it is essential to identify subjects at high risk of developing myopia to facilitate myopia prevention in the early stage, especially during the preschool period. The purpose of this study was to determine whether premyopia and myopia in preschool children can be predicted by easily obtainable parameters. Methods Data was collected in a population-based cohort. Comprehensive examinations included height, weight, refraction, axial length (AL), and corneal radius of curvature (CR), with a follow-up of 2 years. Parental myopia history was obtained from a questionnaire. Myopia was defined as spherical equivalent (SE) ≤ − 0.50 D. Premyopia was defined as − 0.50 D

BackgroundBetter outcome prediction could assist in reliable classification of the illnesses in neurological intensive care unit (ICU) severity to support clinical decision-making. We developed a multifactorial model including quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) parameters for outcome prediction of patients in neurological ICU.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed neurological ICU patients from November 2018 to November 2021. We used 3-month mortality as the outcome. Prediction models were created using a linear discriminant analysis (LDA) based on QEEG parameters, APACHEII score, and clinically relevant features. Additionally, we compared our best models with APACHEII score and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). The DeLong test was carried out to compare the ROC curves in different models.ResultsA total of 110 patients were included and divided into a training set (n=80) and a validation set (n = 30). The best performing model had an AUC of 0.85 in the training set and an AUC of 0.82 in the validation set, which were better than that of GCS (training set 0.64, validation set 0.61). Models in which we selected only the 4 best QEEG parameters had an AUC of 0.77 in the training set and an AUC of 0.71 in the validation set, which were similar to that of APACHEII (training set 0.75, validation set 0.73). The models also identified the relative importance of each feature.ConclusionMultifactorial machine learning models using QEEG parameters, clinical data, and APACHEII score have a better potential to predict 3-month mortality in non-traumatic patients in neurological ICU.

The carbon isotope values (δ13C) of aquatic plants are of great significance for recognizing carbon cycles and tracing environmental changes in lakes. Yet, the influence of δ13C values of their utilizing carbon sources (especially in the case of CO2 separated from the HCO3– in water) on their δ13C differences have never been evaluated, which is mainly due to the lack of CO2 δ13C investigations in lake water. In this study, we used a newly developed fast-response automated gas equilibrator for real-time concentration and δ13C determination of dissolved CO2 in the surface and bottom lake water of Lake Tuosu, Lake Qinghai and Lake Keluke, China. Moreover, we determined the corresponding δ13C values of total organic carbon (TOC) of a submerged plant (Potamogeton) and an alga (Cladophora), as well as the δ13C values of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in bottom lake water. The results showed that the CO2 δ13C values of bottom and surface water in these three lakes did not show significant differences and the δ13C values of CO2 at different water depths also did not show significant differences. However, Potamogeton had higher TOC δ13C values (average 14–16‰) than Cladophora in these lakes. Although Potamogeton and Cladophora could utilize HCO3– as an additional carbon source whose δ13C values were more positive (ca. 7–8‰) than CO2, this effect on their δ13C values was no >4‰ after evaluation. Thus, our results show that the δ13C values of carbon sources (including CO2 and HCO3–) are not the main factors in determining the TOC δ13C difference between Potamogeton and Cladophora, which could be primarily related to the biosynthetic fractionation for different aquatic plant species. Our results benefit further understanding and interpretations of δ13C variations in carbon cycles and paleoenvironment reconstructions for lakes.

Though the energy requirement for maintenance is an important part of net energy system, little is known of the metabolic characteristics of maintenance energy expenditure. This study was investigated the effect of feeding level at metabolizable energy requirement for maintenance (FLM) on plasma metabolites in growing pigs. Ten barrows (22.5 ± 0.5 kg BW) were kept in metabolism crates and catheterized in the precaval vein during adaptation period. Pigs were fed a corn-soybean meal diet at 782 kJ ME/kg BW0.6·d−1 during d 1 to 8 and then were refeeding at 2,400 kJ ME/kg BW0.6·d−1 on d 9. Plasma samples of each pig were collected by catheter on the morning of d 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 10, respectively, for metabolomics testing. Results showed that the concentration of plasma urea nitrogen decreased under FLM (p < 0.01) and increased significantly after refeeding (p < 0.01). The concentration of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and albumin in plasma were decreased significantly after refeeding (p < 0.01). Eleven identified compounds were up-regulated and six ones were down-regulated under FLM. In conclusion, the energy metabolism of growing pigs was relatively stable after 4 days of feeding at FLM.

ABSTRACT Limosilactobacillus reuteri plays an important role in regulating intestinal functions and maintaining barrier integrity in animals. In this study, Limosilactobacillus reuteri strain SLZX19-12 was isolated from the fecal microbiota of Tibetan pigs, and it was found that this strain is sensitive to common antibiotics and has strong resistance to stress. Upon being administered by gavage at different doses, including low, medium, and high doses, for 14 days, Limosilactobacillus reuteri SLZX19-12 may enhance the intestinal barrier. After administration of a high dose of SLZX19-12, mice were challenged with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium SL1344. Infection with Salmonella Typhimurium SL1344 led to disordered colonic microbiotas, colonic inflammation through the S100A8/S100A9–NF-κB pathway and potential apoptosis, and translocation of pathogens to parenteral visceral organs in mice. However, the mice pretreated with Limosilactobacillus reuteri SLZX19-12 showed lower loads of Salmonella in visceral organs, less colonic inflammation, and higher barrier integrity. More importantly, the administration of strain SLZX19-12 resulted in a more stable microbiota structure of the colon, in which the abundance of Alloprevotella was greatly enhanced. Therefore, this study suggests that Limosilactobacillus reuteri SLZX19-12 can protect the colon from infection by enhancing the stability of gut microbiota and barrier integrity and reducing inflammation. IMPORTANCE The use of antibiotics to treat bacterial infections leads to a series of side effects. As an alternative method, the biocontrol strategy, which uses probiotics to suppress pathogens, is considered a potential way to deal with bacterial infections in gut. However, there are few probiotics that are currently safe and can protect against infection. In this study, Limosilactobacillus reuteri strain SLZX19-12 was obtained from Tibetan pigs, which have higher resistance to infection. This strain is sensitive to conventional antibiotics, secretes a wide spectrum of enzymes, and also promotes the intestinal barrier function in mice. In addition, Limosilactobacillus reuteri SLZX19-12 can promote the stability of the gut microbiota to avoid or alleviate the occurrence or development of foodborne infections.

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is important for the intestinal barrier to defend and regulate inflammation in the intestine. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) on regulating neuropeptide secretion by ENS neurons of rats challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to create enteritis. Thirty Sprague Dawley rats were divided into five groups, namely, basal (CTRL), basal plus LPS challenge (LPS), basal with 2.5 mg/kg b.w./day of PQQ plus challenge with LPS (PQQ 2.5), basal with 5.0 mg/kg b.w./day PQQ plus challenge with LPS (PQQ 5), and basal with 10.0 mg/kg b.w./day PQQ plus challenge with LPS (PQQ 10). After treatment with basal diet or PQQ for 14 days, rats were challenged with LPS except for the CTRL group. Rats were euthanized 6 h after the LPS challenge. Rats showed an increased average daily gain in PQQ treatment groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the LPS group, PQQ 5 and PQQ 10 rats showed increased villus height and villus height/crypt depth of jejunum (P < 0.05). In PQQ treatment groups, concentrations of IL-1β and TNF-α in serum and intestine of rats were decreased, and IL-10 concentration was increased in serum compared with the LPS group (P < 0.05). Compared with the LPS group, the concentration of neuropeptide Y (NPY), nerve growth factor (NGF), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) in serum were decreased in PQQ treatment groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the LPS group, ileal mRNA levels of BDNF, NPY, and NGF were decreased in PQQ treatment groups (P < 0.05). Jejunal concentrations of SP, CGRP, VIP, BDNF, NPY, and NGF were decreased in PQQ treatment groups compared with the LPS group (P < 0.05). Compared with the LPS group, phosphor-protein kinase B (p-Akt)/Akt levels in jejunum and colon were decreased in PQQ treatment groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, daily treatment with PQQ improved daily gain, jejunal morphology, immune responses. PQQ-regulated enteric neurochemical plasticity of ENS via the Akt signaling pathway of weaned rats suffering from enteritis.

Abstract We present the calibration strategy for the 20 kton liquid scintillator central detector of the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO). By utilizing a comprehensive multiple-source and multiple-positional calibration program, in combination with a novel dual calorimetry technique exploiting two independent photosensors and readout systems, we demonstrate that the JUNO central detector can achieve a better than 1% energy linearity and a 3% effective energy resolution, required by the neutrino mass ordering determination.

Abstract Background Paenibacillus polymyxa SC2, a bacterium isolated from the rhizosphere soil of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), promotes growth and biocontrol of pepper. However, the mechanisms of interaction between P. polymyxa SC2 and pepper have not yet been elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the interactional relationship of P. polymyxa SC2 and pepper using transcriptomics. Results P. polymyxa SC2 promotes growth of pepper stems and leaves in pot experiments in the greenhouse. Under interaction conditions, peppers stimulate the expression of genes related to quorum sensing, chemotaxis, and biofilm formation in P. polymyxa SC2. Peppers induced the expression of polymyxin and fusaricidin biosynthesis genes in P. polymyxa SC2, and these genes were up-regulated 2.93- to 6.13-fold and 2.77- to 7.88-fold, respectively. Under the stimulation of medium which has been used to culture pepper, the bacteriostatic diameter of P. polymyxa SC2 against Xanthomonas citri increased significantly. Concurrently, under the stimulation of P. polymyxa SC2, expression of transcription factor genes WRKY2 and WRKY40 in pepper was up-regulated 1.17-fold and 3.5-fold, respectively. Conclusions Through the interaction with pepper, the ability of P. polymyxa SC2 to inhibit pathogens was enhanced. P. polymyxa SC2 also induces systemic resistance in pepper by stimulating expression of corresponding transcription regulators. Furthermore, pepper has effects on chemotaxis and biofilm formation of P. polymyxa SC2. This study provides a basis for studying interactional mechanisms of P. polymyxa SC2 and pepper.

Abstract Backgrounds Aniso-astigmatism may hinder normal visual development in preschool children. Knowing its prevalence, biometric parameters and risk factors is fundamental to children eye care. The purpose of this study was to determine the biometric components of aniso-astigmatism and associated maternal risk factors in Chinese preschool children. Methods In the population-based, prospective cohort Nanjing Eye Study, children were measured for noncycloplegic refractive error using an autorefractor and for biometric parameters using an optical low-coherent reflectometry. The difference of total astigmatism (TA) between both eyes was calculated using cylinder power (non-vectorial aniso-TA was defined as ≥1.00 Dioptre Cylinder [DC] between both eyes) and by vector analysis (vectorial aniso-TA was defined as a difference of ≥0.5 in J 0 or J 45 between both eyes which is equivalent to 1.00 DC). The prevalence of aniso-TA was presented. Interocular biometric parameters were compared between with vs. without aniso-astigmatism group. In addition, risk factors were determined using multivariate logistic regression model. Results Of 1131 children (66.90 ± 3.38 months, 53.31% male), the prevalence of non-vectorial aniso-TA was 1.95% (95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.14–2.75%), while the prevalence of vectorial aniso-TA was twice as common as non-vectorial aniso-TA, neither varying with sex or age. With aniso-TA eyes were more asymmetric in axial length and corneal curvature radius than without aniso-TA eyes. In multivariate logistic regression model, 5-min Apgar score less than 7 was significantly associated with higher risk of aniso-TA (vectorial aniso-TA: Odds Ratio (OR) = 6.42, 95%CI = 2.63–15.69, P

The vibration performance is critical to the suspension control and the torque precision of the magnetically suspended momentum flywheel (MSMW). The translational and torsional vibration of the MSMW are investigated in this article, and the damping regulation method is proposed to improve the anti-vibration performance of the MSMW. Firstly, the modellings of the MSMW, including the dynamic models and the displacement coordinate, are developed, and the comprehensive damping characteristics of the MSMW are investigated. Moreover, the transfer functions of the translational and the torsional vibrations are established using the dimensionless model, and the relationship between the dynamic response and the stiffness/damping coefficient is studied. Furthermore, the numerical simulations of the dynamic response of the translational and torsional vibration are conducted. Finally, the experiments are designed to verify the vibration characteristics of the MSMW, and the dynamic displacements are measured to analyze the anti-vibration performance of the proposed damping regulation method. The results indicate that the displacement deflection of the translational vibration is reduced by 68.8%, and the angle deflection of the torsional vibration is mitigated by 71.2% by regulating the damping coefficient.

As oil and natural gas production continue to go deeper into the ocean, the flexible riser, as a connection to the surface of the marine oil and gas channel, will confront greater problems in its practical application. Composite materials are being considered to replace steel in the unbonded flexible pipe in order to successfully meet the lightweight and high-strength criteria of ultra-deep-water oil and gas production. The carbon-fiber-reinforced material substitutes the steel of the tensile armor layer with a greater strength-to-weight ratio. However, its performance in deep-water environments is less researched. To investigate the mechanical response of a carbon fiber composite flexible riser in the deep sea, this study establishes the ABAQUS quasi-static analysis model to predict the performance of the pipe. Considering the special constitutive relations of composite materials, the tensile stiffness of steel pipe and carbon fiber-reinforced composite flexible pipe are predicted. The results show that the replacement of steel strips with carbon fiber can provide 85.06% tensile stiffness while reducing the weight by 77.7%. Moreover, carbon-fiber-reinforced strips have a lower radial modulus, which may not be sufficient to cause buckling under axial compression, so the instability of the carbon fiber composite armor layer under axial compression is further studied in this paper; furthermore, the characteristics of axial stiffness are analyzed, and the effects of the friction coefficient and hydrostatic pressure are discussed.

A sustainable model of combined organic–inorganic fertilizer application for high maize yields and environmental health is important for food security. The short-term combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers can improve crop yields; however, the effect of different proportions of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the maize yield and nitrogen gas emissions in a long time series has not been reported. In this study, field experiments and DeNitrification-DeComposition (DNDC) model simulations were used to study the long-term effects of substituting inorganic fertilizers with organic fertilizers on crop yields and nitrogen-containing gas emissions. Six treatments were included: no nitrogen (CK); urea (U1); and 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of the urea N substituted by organic fertilizers (U3O1, U1O1, U1O3, and O1, respectively). The DNDC model was calibrated using the field data from the U1 treatment from 2018 to 2020 and was validated for the other treatments. The results showed that this model could effectively simulate crop yields (e.g., nRMSE < 5%), soil NH3 volatilization, and N2O emissions (nRMSE < 25%). In addition, long-term (26 years) simulation studies found that the U1O1 treatment could considerably increase maize yields and ensure yield stability, which was 15.69–55.31% higher than that of the U1 treatment. The N2O, NH3, and NO emissions were in the descending order of U1 > U3O1 > O1 > U1O3 > U1O1, and the total nitrogen-containing gas emissions from the U1O1 treatment decreased by 53.72% compared with the U1 treatment (26 years). Overall, substituting 50% of inorganic nitrogen with organic nitrogen could maintain the high yield of maize and reduce emissions of nitrogen-containing gases, constituting a good mode for the combined application of organic–inorganic nitrogen in this area.

Medium/distant maritime rescue is significantly important in the development of maritime business. For typical medium/distant maritime rescue, the range limitation of helicopters and many difficulties between helicopter and ship cooperation lead to unsatisfactory rescue results. Compared to helicopters and ships, amphibious aircrafts could effectively solve the problems faced by helicopters and ships and meet the medium/distant maritime rescue demands with their long cruise range, high speed, high rescue capability and surface landing capability. Therefore, a time-domain planning method (TPM) based on the k-means* clustering algorithm and the genetic algorithm* is proposed in this study for the surface rescue process (SRP) of amphibious aircrafts in medium/distant maritime rescue. To simulate the SRP of amphibious aircrafts, an agent-based simulation environment of medium/distant maritime rescue was constructed based on the Python platform. Finally, a case study was carried out to verify its effectiveness and applicability. The results show that the TPM exhibits satisfactory rescue results for the SRP of the amphibious aircraft and that less than 1 h of delay time is recommended for the amphibious aircraft to rescue the persons in distress by using TPM.

Eudragit L100-55-halloysite nanotubes (EL100-55, HNTs) nanocomposite microcapsules were introduced to release nattokinase (NK) and avoid the limitations of oral and systemic administration of NK while increasing the entrapment efficiency and stability of NK. The drug loading capacity, stability, and shapes of the NK microcapsules (NK@HNTs-EL) were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The maximum loading rate of NK was 82.63%, and the encapsulation efficiency of NK was 31.6%. The formulation conditions did not adversely affect the NK tertiary structure. The maximum in vitro drug release in the simulated small intestine buffer was 93.3%, and the NK@HNTs-EL exhibited pH-dependent drug release. The drug release data were analyzed with different kinetic models, which showed that the NK@HNTs-EL drug-release mechanism involved erosion and osmotic pressure on the EL100-55. After 90 days of storage, the NK@HNTs-EL maintained an enzymatic activity greater than 95%. Hemolysis analyses indicated that NK@HNTs-EL was not cytotoxic at concentrations below 500 FU/mL. These findings indicate that NK@HNTs-EL is a promising oral thrombolytic agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing deep learning (DL) algorithms are based on a large amount of training data and they face challenges in effectively extracting fault features when dealing with few-shot fault diagnoses. Model-agnostic meta-learning (MAML) also faces some challenges, including the limited capability of the basic convolutional neural network (CNN) with a single convolutional kernel to extract fault features comprehensively, as well as the instability of model training due to the inner and outer double-layer loops. To address these issues, this paper presents a multi-step loss meta-learning method based on multi-scale feature extraction (MFEML). Firstly, an improved multi-scale feature extraction module (IMFEM) is designed to solve the problem of the insufficient feature extraction capability of the CNN. Secondly, the multi-step loss is used to reconstruct the meta-loss to address the issue of MAML training instability. Finally, the experimental results of two datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the MFEML. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

General anesthesia is widely applied in clinical practice. However, the precise mechanism of loss of consciousness induced by general anesthetics remains unknown. Here, we measured the dynamics of five neurotransmitters, including γ-aminobutyric acid, glutamate, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, and dopamine, in the medial prefrontal cortex and primary visual cortex of C57BL/6 mice through in vivo fiber photometry and genetically encoded neurotransmitter sensors under anesthesia to reveal the mechanism of general anesthesia from a neurotransmitter perspective. Results revealed that the concentrations of γ-aminobutyric acid, glutamate, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine increased in the cortex during propofo-linduced loss of consciousness. Dopamine levels did not change following the hypnotic dose of propofol but increased significantly following surgical doses of propofol anesthesia. Notably, the concentrations of the five neurotransmitters generally decreased during sevoflurane-induced loss of consciousness. Furthermore, the neurotransmitter dynamic networks were not synchronized in the non-anesthesia groups but were highly synchronized in the anesthetic groups. These findings suggest that neurotransmitter dynamic network synchronization may cause anesthetic-induced loss of consciousness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The objective of this study was to determine net energy (NE) of expeller-press (EP-RSM) and solvent-extracted rapeseed meal (SE-RSM) and to establish equations for predicting the NE in rapeseed meal (RSM) fed to growing pigs. Methods Thirty-six barrows (initial body weight [BW], 41.1±2.2 kg) were allotted into 6 diets comprising a corn-soybean meal basal diet and 5 diets containing 19.50% RSM added at the expense of corn and soybean meal. The experiment had 6 periods and 6 replicate pigs per diet. During each period, the pigs were individually housed in metabolism crates for 16 days which included 7 days for adaption to diets. On day 8, pigs were transferred to respiration chambers and fed their respective diet at 2,000 kJ metabolizable energy (ME)/kg BW0.6/d. Feces and urine were collected, and daily heat production was measured from day 9 to 13. On days 14 and 15, the pigs were fed at 890 kJ ME/kg BW0.6/d and fasted on day 16 for evaluation of fasting heat production (FHP). Results The FHP of pigs averaged 790 kJ/kg BW0.6/d and was not affected by the diet composition. The NE values were 10.80 and 8.45 MJ/kg DM for EP-RSM and SE-RSM, respectively. The NE value was positively correlated with gross energy (GE), digestible energy (DE), ME, and ether extract (EE). The best fit equation for NE of RSM was NE (MJ/kg DM) = 1.14×DE (MJ/kg DM)+0.46×crude protein (% of DM)–25.24 (n = 8, R2 = 0.96, p

Background & Aims: Fucosyltransferase 2 (Fut2)-mediated intestinal α1- 2-fucosylation is important for host–microbe interactions and has been associated with several diseases, but its role in obesity and hepatic steatohepatitis is not known. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Fut2 in a Western-style diet–induced mouse model of obesity and steatohepatitis. Methods: Wild-type (WT) and Fut2-deficient littermate mice were used and features of the metabolic syndrome and steatohepatitis were assessed after 20 weeks of Western diet feeding. Results: Intestinal α1-2-fucosylation was suppressed in WT mice after Western diet feeding, and supplementation of α1-2-fucosylated glycans exacerbated obesity and steatohepatitis in these mice. Fut2-deficient mice were protected from Western diet–induced features of obesity and steatohepatitis despite an increased caloric intake. These mice have increased energy expenditure and thermogenesis, as evidenced by a higher core body temperature. Protection from obesity and steatohepatitis associated with Fut2 deficiency is transmissible to WT mice via microbiota exchange; phenotypic differences between Western diet–fed WT and Fut2-deficient mice were reduced with antibiotic treatment. Fut2 deficiency attenuated diet-induced bile acid accumulation by altered relative abundance of bacterial enzyme 7-α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases metabolizing bile acids and by increased fecal excretion of secondary bile acids. This also was associated with increased intestinal farnesoid X receptor/fibroblast growth factor 15 signaling, which inhibits hepatic synthesis of bile acids. Dietary supplementation of α1-2-fucosylated glycans abrogates the protective effects of Fut2 deficiency. Conclusions: α1-2-fucosylation is an important host-derived regulator of intestinal microbiota and plays an important role for the pathogenesis of obesity and steatohepatitis in mice.