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Little is known about whether exposure to pets influences the association between hypertension and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). The current study aims to examine the interaction of pet ownership on ETS exposure and the development of hypertension in children. From 2012 to 2013, a total of 9354 children, 5 to 17 years of age, were recruited from 62 schools in seven northeastern cities. BP in children was measured and hypertension was defined as an average diastolic blood pressure (DBP) or systolic blood pressure (SBP) at or above the 95th percentile for that child's age, sex, and height. Pet ownership in three different time periods (in utero , past 2 years, and currently) and ETS exposure data were collected from parents via a questionnaire. Two-level regressions were used for the data analyses. The data show consistent, significant interactions between exposure to pets and effects from ETS. Children who were not exposed to pets experienced stronger effects from ETS on hypertension when compared to those exposed to pets, and the protective effect of pet ownership became stronger with a greater number of pets in the home. Exposure to in utero ETS was associated with hypertension [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.32, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13–1.54] only for those children without pet exposure in utero but not for those with pets (aOR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.49–1.15) (p interaction < 0.05). Moreover, household dog ownership was related to significantly lower effects of current ETS on hypertension (aOR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.61–1.05) compared with children without dogs (aOR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.11–1.44) (p interaction = 0.001). Interaction associations between ETS and pet ownership were more robust for girls than for boys and for younger than older children. This study indicates an inverse relationship between pet ownership and ETS, potentially pointing to pet ownership as protecting against the development of hypertension in children. Unlabelled Image • Few studies reported the interactions of pet ownership with ETS exposure on human health. • A large population-based cohort study was conducted in to assess these interactions. • Pet ownership in utero and postnatally decreases the effects of ETS exposure on hypertension. • More interactions were apparent in females and younger children. • This protective effect became stronger with a greater number of pets ownership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A dual-charged composite membrane was engineered for efficient separation of both cationic and anionic molecules. Alternately charged functional layer with sandwich structure was assembled onto porous membrane via chemical-mediated polyphenol surface engineering. The surface morphology, element variation and surface charge properties of the functional layer were respectively analysed using SEM, FTIR and streaming zeta potential measurements. The as-prepared "sandwich"-type composite membrane showed preferable rejection to multiple charged dyes (99.6% Alcian blue, 99.3% Brilliant blue, 92.21% Methyl blue, 89.91% Rhodanile blue). Both Donnan repulsion by dual-charged functional layer and entrapment effect by micro electric fields contributed to the outstanding separation performance. Compared with generally needed high pressure of 4–8 bar for the current nanofiltration separation, the developed composite membrane achieved desirable rejection under a low operating pressure of 1.5 bar, as well as favorable recycling performance for long-term use. This study provides an energy-efficient membrane candidate for comprehensive separation of charged molecules in practical applications such as dye wastewater treatment. Image 1 • Polyphenol engineered membranes were designed and fabricated with dual-charged sandwich-structure. • The membrane exhibited desirable rejection towards both cationic dyes and anionic dyes. • Synergistic retention mechanism of Donnan effect and micro-electric-fields was proposed. • Energy-efficient retention of dye molecules was achieved at a low operating pressure of 1.5 bar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Test optimization for Li-ion battery formulations reduces the cost of testing. • Deep learning is used to predict battery lifespan in high-temperature testing. • The transfer learning method is based on a stacked denoising autoencoder. • A modified Arrhenius model is used for standard-temperature lifespan estimates. • Prediction accuracy is verified and a time savings of nearly 60% is achieved. Cycle life testing in battery development is crucial for the selection of a formulation, but it is time-consuming and costly for battery enterprises. A test optimization approach for different Li-ion power battery formulations is designed based on a hybrid remaining-useful-life prediction method to reduce the high cost of constant temperature–stress testing. The test life is replaced by an accurately predicted lifespan to end the testing early and shorten the cycle number. Batteries having the same formulation and tested at different temperatures are integrally optimized for more test savings. Firstly, high-temperature stress testing is stopped early at a preset threshold, and an instance-based transfer learning method is used to predict the battery lifespan by transferring similar historical test samples of different battery formulations to train a highly robust deep learning prediction model. Standard-temperature testing is completely eliminated by utilizing a modified Arrhenius model to estimate the battery lifespan. The model improvements include replacing the high-temperature stress test lifespan with the abovementioned prediction and introducing a prediction error correction coefficient to increase prediction accuracy. The accuracy of the prediction is verified using actual test data from a battery company, resulting in a time savings of nearly 60%. The optimization strategy has extensive application prospects for other constant-stress tests for batteries and other products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The high potential for tumor recurrence and chemoresistance is a major challenge of clinical gastric cancer treatment. Increasing evidence suggests that the presence of tumor initiating cells (TICs) is the principal cause of tumor recurrence and chemoresistance. However, the underlying mechanism of TIC development remains controversial. Methods: To identify novel molecular pathways in gastric cancer, we screened the genomic expression profile of 155 gastric cancer patients from the TCGA database. We then described an improved 3D collagen I gels and tested the effects of collagen on the TIC phenotype of gastric cells using colony formation assay, transwell assay, and nude mouse models. Additionally, cell apoptosis assay was performed to examine the cytotoxicity of 5-fluorine and paclitaxel on gastric cancer cells cultured in 3D collagen I gels. Results: Elevated expression of type I collagen was observed in tumor tissues from high stage patients (stage T3–T4) when compared to the low stage group (n=10, stage T1–T2). Furthermore, tumor cells seeded in a low concentration of collagen gels acquired TIC-like phenotypes and revealed enhanced resistance to chemotherapeutic agents, which was dependent on an integrin β1 (ITGB1)/Y-box Binding Protein 1 (YBX1)/Secreted Phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1)/NF-κB signaling pathway. Importantly, inhibition of ITGB1/NF-κB signaling efficiently reversed the chemoresistance induced by collagen and promoted anticancer effects in vivo. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated that type I collagen promoted TIC-like phenotypes and chemoresistance through ITGB1/YBX1/SPP1/NF-κB pathway, which may provide novel insights into gastric cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Annular structures of (BN) x (2⩽ x ⩽19) clusters are optimized at DFT/B3LYP/6-31G∗ theoretical level. NICS, NBO and MOs are calculated to investigate stability and property. The analyzed results show that (BN) x clusters have different bonding characters with the corresponding C2x molecules. And annular (BN) x clusters also have delocalized bonding although they are nonaromatic estimated with NICS values. (BN)2 has aromaticity for it has different conformation which makes it have special bonding character. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A photochemical reaction route was developed to synthesize bismuth selenide (Bi2Se3) nanoparticles and nanorods. In an aqueous solution, bismuth nitrate (Bi(NO3)3) reacted with sodium selenosufate in the presence of reducing agent and complexing agent, and the dispersed Bi2Se3 nanoparticles were obtained with the average size of 35 nm. The nanorods were prepared via an alumina template route in the same solution. We carried out experiments to study the formation mechanism in the morphology control of the products and found that series of factors played an effective role including the irradiation time, pH value, the reducing agents and the species of complexing agents. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Conopomorpha sinensis is the dominant borer pest of Litchi chinensis (litchi) and Euphoria longan (longan) in China. Control of C. sinensis is difficult because of its cryptic life habit; thus, an effective ovicide could be beneficial. The larvicidal effects of diflubenzuron (DFB) have been documented in many insect pest species. Therefore, DFB might be a useful ovicide to control C. sinensis. However, the detailed mode of action of DFB interference with insect molting and egg hatching is unclear. Thus, we studied alterations in expression of all genes potentially affected by DFB treatment using a transcriptome approach in 2‐d‐old C. sinensis eggs. Clean reads were assembled to generate 203 455 unigenes and 440 558 transcripts. A total of 4625 differently expressed genes, which included 2670 up‐regulated and 1955 down‐regulated unigenes, were identified. Chitin binding and chitin metabolic processes were among the most significant enriched pathways according to Gene Ontology analyses. Most of the genes that encode enzymes involved in the chitin biosynthesis pathway were unaffected, whereas genes that presumably encode cuticle proteins were up‐regulated. Furthermore, altered expression patterns of 10 genes involved in the chitin biosynthesis pathway of C. sinensis embryos were observed in response to DFB treatment at different time points by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. We also observed abnormal development; there was reduced chitin content and modulated chitin distribution of newly hatched larvae, and altered egg hatching. Our findings illustrate an ovicidal effect of DFB on C. sinensis, and reveal more molecular consequences of DFB treatment on insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractIn the present study, via applying the 2,4-di(2′,5′-dicarboxylphenyl)benzoic acid (H5L) as the organic linker, two new coordination polymers (CPs) with the chemical formulae of {[Co2(HL)(DMF)2(H2O)]·H2O}n (1) and {[Co2(HL)(bibp)(H2O)]·H2O}n (2) have been successfully prepared without or with the present of the second ligand 4,4′-bis(imidazolyl)biphenyl (bibp). Their application values on the renal failure during pregnancy was evaluated and the related mechanism was discussed at the same time. First of all, the viability of the renal tubular cells after compound treatment was measured with MTT (3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y1)-3,5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide) assay. In addition to this, the expression levels of the caspase-3 and caspase-8 was measured with western blotting assay. Compound 1 exhibited much more excellent treatment activity on the acute renal failure than compound 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the prognostic value of the timing of circulating breast tumour cell measurement during treatment, peripheral blood from 164 patients with breast disease was collected. Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) were enriched by using immunomagnetic nanospheres (IMNs) and were identified by using immunofluorescent staining. The CTC shows nuclear-positive, EpCAM-positive, CK19-positive, and CD45-negative. Patients with CTC positivity (> 19/7.5 mL blood) had shorter progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) than those with negative results (≤ 19/7.5 mL blood) at baseline. Surgery caused an increase in the number and prevalence of CTCs, and the effect disappeared on day 14 after surgery. During adjuvant chemotherapy, CTCs detected before therapy was only correlated with PFS; however, CTCs at the end of adjuvant chemotherapy were correlated with both PFS and OS. The PFS and OS of the CTC-positive group were significantly shorter than those of the CTC-negative group at the end-point follow-up visit. The prognostic value of CTCs at different measurement time points was demonstrated during breast cancer treatment. Surgery and chemotherapy affected the prevalence of CTCs, leading to different prognostic relevance of CTCs at different treatment stages. CTCs detected at baseline or in the late phase of treatment are preferable for prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quark condensate and quark number density are commonly used to determine the QCD phase transition. However, the usually defined quark condensate is divergent in the case of non-chiral limit, and the quark number density suffers from the superficial divergence in numerical calculation. In order to address these issues, we redefine the quark condensate at finite temperature and density and propose a technique to deal with the divergence of the quark condensate and the superficial divergence of the quark number density in numerical calculations. Based on these improvements, we further discuss various susceptibilities as criteria to determine the critical points in the phase transition. It is found that different susceptibilities give different locations of the critical points in the crossover region, which suggests us to define a critical band, instead of some exclusive line in the phase diagram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A prerequisite for successful development of a K‐ion battery anode based on solid‐solution behavior is to improve its potassium storage capacity. Increasing the solid‐solution domain by decreasing the particle size offers a promising strategy for enhancing the potassium storage capabilities of insertion anode materials. Extended solid‐solution composition range in nanostructured particles is mainly due to the existence of a coherency strain that suppresses phase separation upon intercalation. Here, the intercalation stress effect in size‐dependent solid‐solution behavior is explored by insertion of K+ into K2Ti6O13 nanowires with different diameters. K2Ti6O13 nanowires with small average diameter of ≈5.5 nm deliver a large initial reversible depotassiated capacity of ≈120 mAh g−1 (deinsertion of ≈2.5 K+) at 0.2 C. The remarkably high reversible depotassiated capacity is mainly ascribed to the decrease of the incoherent interface upon potassiation. The direct observation of enrichment of intragranular particles in potassiated K2Ti6O13 nanowires with average diameter of ≈38 nm provides evidence of strain‐accommodating misfits or dislocations in solid‐solution intercalation compounds. This work offers a promising route to utilize coherency strain energy for K‐ion batteries with improved specific capacity and alleviated irreversible capacity loss. Reducing the size of insertion materials with enhanced solid‐solution domains offers a promising strategy to increase the potassium storage capabilities in K‐ion batteries. Maintaining a coherence interface within an individual particle upon (de)insertion of cations is favorable for the storage and utilization of coherency strain energy for solid‐solution intercalation compounds with improved rate and cyclic battery performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solutions and their evolutions of the quark gap equation are studied within the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model, which is a basic issue for studying the QCD phase structure and locating the possible critical end point. It is shown that in the chiral limit case of the vacuum, chiral symmetry will hold if the coupling strength G is small, then the system only has the Wigner solution at M=0. If increasing G, two symmetric minima will appear as the positive and “negative” Nambu solutions, however, the solution M=0 now corresponds to a maximum instead of a minimum of the thermodynamical potential, so is not a physically stable state anymore (we call it “pseudo-Wigner solution”). Besides, it is shown that as the current quark mass m increases, the pseudo-Wigner solution will become negative, and disappear together with the negative Nambu solution if m is large enough. Similar things happen if we increase the temperature or quark chemical potential μ. Some interesting phenomenon is, from some μ a second local minimum will show up. As μ increases gradually, it will be stabler than the Nambu solution, survives even the Nambu solution disappears, and approaches m, which are just the features of the Wigner solution we expect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zn–iodine (I2) battery, as a promising energy storage device, especially under high I2 loading, is harassed by the shuttle effect of the soluble polyiodide intermediates. Herein, the bifunctional role of 2D carbon nanosponge with rich P‐dopant (4.2 at%) and large specific surface area (1966 m2 g−1) in anchoring I2/Ix− (x = 1, 3 or 5) and catalyzing their mutual conversion is reported. Both experiment and computational results reveal the transfer of electrons from the P‐doped site to iodine species, showing strong interfacial interaction. When being used as a host, it possesses high specific capture capacity for I2 (3.34 giodine g−1 or 1.6 mgiodine m−2) and Ix− (6.12 gtriiodide g−1 or 3.1 mgtriiodide m−2), which thus effectively suppresses the shuttle effect, supported by in situ UV–vis and Raman spectra. In addition to the strong interfacial interaction that favors iodine conversion, the P‐doped sites can also catalyze the conversion of I5− to I2, which is the rate‐determining step. Consequently, Zn–I2 batteries under a high I2 content (70 wt%) deliver high specific capacity (220.3 mAh g−1), superior Coulombic efficiency (>99%), and low self‐discharge rate; moreover, they can also operate steadily at 2 A g−1 with ignorable capacity decay for 10 000 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Targeted gene regulation is indispensable for exploring gene functions in microbes and the development of microbial cell factories. While most loci can be regulated by CRISPRi, it cannot be used for targets lacking protospacer adjacent motifs (PAM) or protospacer flanking sequences (PFS). Here, we characterized a genetic suppression approach named the hp DNA-assisted s tructure- g uided n uclease mediating i nterference system (HpSGNi). It was composed of a flap endonuclease 1 (FEN1) and mis-hairpin DNA probes (mis-hpDNA) to suppress the expression of target genes simply and efficiently in microbe without sequence restrictions. By inhibiting the initiation and elongation of the transcription, HpSGNi successfully silenced the transcription of exogenous fluorescent protein genes, ampicillin resistance gene and endogenous folP / sulA genes in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) and K-12 MG1655. Meanwhile, aiming at optimizing the mis-hpDNA, we displayed the characteristics by detecting the tolerance to the single base mismatch and length of the guide sequence. This DNA-guided recognition platform provides a simple approach for selectively inhibiting gene expression. • The HpSGNi system has no requirement like PAM or PFS for the targets' sequence. • The small size of the FEN1-coding plasmid in the HpSGNi system is potentially to be beneficial for delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) is one of the most commercially successful cathode materials and has attracted much attention from researchers since its discovery. However, an increase in cut-off voltage generates problems such as structural damage and detrimental side reactions. Under this premise, a layer of LiTaO3 coating is sputtered on the surface of the LiCoO2 electrode by magnetron sputtering, which aims to inhibit the structural damage and the occurrence of side reactions under high voltage. Meanwhile, the ionic conductor layer of LiTaO3 can also promote the transmission process of Li+ and improve the power density. The results show that the capacity retention rate of the MS-2 h (magnetron sputtering for 2 hours) electrode is 86.6% at 0.5C for 100 cycles in a voltage range of 3.0–4.6 V, and the capacity of 91 mA h g−1 is achieved at 3C. The cycling stability of the electrode is also effectively improved at high temperature, and the capacity retention rate was 40.9% after 100 cycles at 50 °C. This work proves that the coating of LiTaO3 on the electrode surface by magnetron sputtering can effectively inhibit the damage of the electrode structure and the occurrence of side reactions during cycling and can promote the transmission of lithium ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has recommended that clinicians screen patients for intimate partner violence (IPV). This article aims to develop and test the first screeners for clinically significant physical and psychological IPV (i.e., acts meeting criteria in the International Classification of Diseases (11th ed.; ICD-11; World Health Organization, 2019) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The goal was to derive screeners that (1) are maximally brief, while still achieving high sensitivity and specificity; (2) assess perpetration and victimization when either men or women are reporting; and (3) use ICD-11/DSM-5 criteria as the reference standard. Random samples of active duty service members at 82 installations worldwide were obtained via e-mail invitation (2006: N = 54,543; 2008: N = 48,909); their response rates were excellent for long general population surveys with no payment (2006: 44.7%, 2008: 49.0%). The population of spouses at the participating installation was invited by mailed postcard (2006: N = 19,722; 2008: N = 12,127; response rates-2006: 12.3%, 2008: 10.8%). Clinically significant physical intimate partner violence can be effectively screened with as few as four items, with sensitivities > 90% and specificities > 95%; clinically significant psychological intimate partner violence can be screened with two items. Men and women can be screened with equivalent accuracy, as can those committing the violence and those victimized by it. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The microbiota–gut–brain axis, especially the microbial tryptophan (Trp) biosynthesis and metabolism pathway (MiTBamp), may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, studies on the MiTBamp in MDD are lacking. The aim of the present study was to analyze the gut microbiota composition and the MiTBamp in MDD patients. Methods: We performed shotgun metagenomic sequencing of stool samples from 26 MDD patients and 29 healthy controls (HCs). In addition to the microbiota community and the MiTBamp analyses, we also built a classification based on the Random Forests (RF) and Boruta algorithm to identify the gut microbiota as biomarkers for MDD. Results: The Bacteroidetes abundance was strongly reduced whereas that of Actinobacteria was significantly increased in the MDD patients compared with the abundance in the HCs. Most noteworthy, the MDD patients had increased levels of Bifidobacterium, which is commonly used as a probiotic. Four Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) orthologies (KOs) (K01817, K11358, K01626, K01667) abundances in the MiTBamp were significantly lower in the MDD group. Furthermore, we found a negative correlation between the K01626 abundance and the HAMD scores in the MDD group. Finally, RF classification at the genus level can achieve an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.890. Conclusions: The present findings enabled a better understanding of the changes in gut microbiota and the related Trp pathway in MDD. Alterations of the gut microbiota may have the potential as biomarkers for distinguishing MDD patients form HCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The microbiome-gut-brain axis, especially the microbial tryptophan biosynthesis and metabolism pathway (MiTBamp), is closely connected to bipolar disorder with current major depressive episode (BPD).Methods: We performed shotgun metagenomics sequencing (SMS) of faecal samples from 25 BPD patients and 28 healthy controls (HCs). Except for the microbiota taxa and MiTBamp analyses, we also built a classification model using the Random Forests (RF) and Boruta algorithm to find the microbial biomarkers for BPD.Results: Compared to HCs, the phylum Bacteroidetes abundance was significantly reduced, whereas that of the Actinobacteria and Firmicutes were significantly increased in BPD patients. We also identified 38 species increased and 6 species decreased significantly in the BPD group. In the MiTBamp, we identified that two Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) orthologies (KOs) (K00658 and K00837) were significantly lower in the BPD, and five KOs (K01696, K00382, K00626, K01667, and K03781) were significantly higher in the BPD group. We also identified significant genera and species which were closely related to these KOs. Finally, RF classification based on gut microbiota at the genus level can achieve an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.997.Limitations: The features of cross-sectional design, limited sample size, the heterogeneity of bipolar disorders, and a lack of serum/plasma tryptophan concentration measurements.Conclusions: The present findings enable a better understanding of changes in gastrointestinal microbiome and MiTBamp in BPD. Alterations of microbes may have potential as biomarkers for distinguishing the BPD patients form HCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neoagaro-oligosaccharides (NAOS) have health benefits that are related to their amount and degree of polymerization (DP). However, the current methods that are used to quantify enzymatically released NAOS are un-specific and time-consuming. Agar has been extracted from Gelidium amansii and has been degraded by AgaXa (a recombinant β-agarase). Polysaccharide analysis using carbohydrate gel electrophoresis (PACE) has been adapted in order to quantify NAOS. In addition, the anti-oxidant activity of the degraded samples has been assessed. We have found that the PACE method provided sensitive, precise, and accurate quantification for each of the six NAOS samples. PACE has revealed that the DP of the enzymatic products from the AgaXa digestion were mainly neoagaro-octaose and neoagaro-decaose. The degraded samples exhibited increased radical-scavenging activity towards 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline sulfonic acid) radicals. While the anti-oxidant activity may have been from NAOS activity and contributions from neoagaro-octaose and neoagaro-decaose. The adapted PACE method that has been presented here is promising for large sample analysis during quality control and for characterizing novel β-agarase degradation mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major challenge in the field of photocatalytic carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction is to design catalyst systems featuring high selectivity for CO production, long-term stability and a composition of Earth-abundant elements. Here, we present a metal–organic framework (MOF) based catalyst to mitigate the technical problems associated with the above-mentioned features. We report a carbon-coated CuNi alloy nanocatalyst obtained by high temperature vacuum treatment of a MOF material (CuNiBTC). The resulting carbon encapsulated CuNi (denoted as CuNi/C) nanoparticles possess a well-designed core–shell composite structure with graphene shells. Meanwhile, we investigated the reaction mechanism of CO2 on the surface of the CuNi/C photocatalyst in an aqueous solution containing triethanolamine. The experimental results show that the activity and catalytic yield of CuNi/C are much higher than those of Cu/C and Ni/C alone. At the same time, the catalytic activity of CuNi/C is also affected by changing the reaction temperature in the preparation process. As a result, the CuNi/C samples can achieve nearly 90% selectivity for NIR-light-driven CO2 reduction to CO. Our approach demonstrates the potential of non-semiconductor materials as catalysts for efficient and selective reduction of CO2 to CO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Structural characterization of Porphyra haitanensis polysaccharides was lacking. • It was revealed that they comprised of sulphated polysaccharides. • They consist of → 4–3,6-anhydro-α-L-galactopyranose-(1 → 3)-β-D-galactopyranose. • These polysaccharides were found to possess antioxidant potency. This study was designed to fully characterize Porphyra haitanensis polysaccharides, and to evaluate their antioxidant activity. The polysaccharides primarily contained galactose and 3,6-anhydrogalactose in a molar ratio of 1.2:1.0, respectively and sulfate content about 3.8%. The molecular weight of polysaccharides is 2.5 × 105 Da. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy of the polysaccharides pointed towards an irregular network with more or less hexagonal and a few rectangular pores. The chemical structure was confirmed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance structural characterization wherein → 4–3,6-anhydro-α-L-galactopyranose-(1 → 3)-β-D-galactopyranose segments. The extracted polysaccharides revealed relatively high 2, 2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid radical scavenging activity (53.16% at 2 mg/mL), moderate 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging efficacy (34.63% at 2 mg/mL), and low hydroxyl radical scavenging potential (23.80% at 2 mg/mL). Further purification of these polysaccharides, hence, is advised for their potential role as antioxidants in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetradium trichotomum Lour., is a plant species endemic to tropical South East Asia with particular medicinal importance. However, very little analysis in this plant has been studied up to now from a phytochemical viewpoint. One new amide alkaloid (wuchuyuamide V, 1), as well as two known amide alkaloids-wuchuyuamide III (2), and wuchuyuamide I (3) were obtained from the fruits of T. trichotomum for the first time. The structures of wuchuyuamide V (1) and wuchuyuamide III (2) were unambiguously elucidated by 1D and 2D-NMR spectra, mass spectrometry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immunoassays and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) are two major methods for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of immunosuppressant drugs. Compared to the relatively limited analytical performance and cross reactivities of immunoassays, the LC-MS/MS method is considered as a gold standard; however, the lack of systematic evaluation and standardization needs to be addressed. A LC-MS/MS method for the determination of cyclosporine A, sirolimus, tacrolimus, and everolimus was developed. One-step protein precipitation was used to prepare blood samples. The newly developed method was systematically evaluated and validated according to the standard guidelines. The quantitative method for four immunosuppressant drugs in human whole blood was validated according to the guidelines. The lower limits of the measuring interval (LLMI) for cyclosporine A, sirolimus, tacrolimus, and everolimus were 5, 0.5, 0.5, and 0.5 ng/mL, respectively. Linear correlation coefficients were all >0.999. Internal standard-normalized (IS-normalized) matrix correction factor was within the range 0.88–1.17. The average spiked recoveries of five replicates for the four immunosuppressant drugs were in the range 87.4–109.6%. An LC-MS/MS method combined with one-step protein precipitation was developed, providing short sample preparation and chromatographic run time, thus allowing easy clinical diagnosis. • A straightforward LC-MS/MS method was developed for determination of four immunosuppressant drugs. • One-step protein precipitation was used to deal with the blood samples, which was easy and high throughput. • Systematic evaluation were validated to access the method strictly according to the guidelines [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Swine enteric alphacoronavirus (SeACoV), also known as swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus (SADS-CoV), belongs to the species Rhinolophus bat coronavirus HKU2. Herein, we report on the primary characterization of SeACoV in vitro. Four antibodies against the SeACoV spike, membrane, nucleocapsid and nonstructural protein 3 capable of reacting with viral antigens in SeACoV-infected Vero cells were generated. We established a DNA-launched SeACoV infectious clone based on the cell adapted passage-10 virus and rescued the recombinant virus with a unique genetic marker in cultured cells. Six subgenomic mRNAs containing the leader-body junction sites, including a bicistronic mRNA encoding the accessory NS7a and NS7b genes, were experimentally identified in SeACoV-infected cells. Cellular ultrastructural changes induced by SeACoV infection were visualized by electron microscopy. The availability of the SeACoV infectious clone and a panel of antibodies against different viral proteins will facilitate further studies on understanding the molecular mechanisms of SeACoV replication and pathogenesis. • Generation of four antibodies to distinct SeACoV protein for detection of SeACoV infection. • Development of a DNA-launched reverse genetics system for SeACoV. • Recombinant SeACoV with a genetic marker had similar growth kinetics to the parental virus. • Identification of all SeACoV subgenomic mRNAs containing the leader-body junction sites. • SeACoV infection induces cellular ultrastructural changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria-induced VAP often has high lethality. We present this systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the risk factors for MDR bacterial infection in patients with VAP. PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched for studies regarding MDR bacterial infection in VAP patients, from Jan 1996 to Aug 2022. Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment of included studies were conducted by two reviewers independently, and potential risk factors for MDR bacterial infection were identified. Meta-analysis showed that the score of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE-II) [OR = 1.009, 95% (CI 0.732, 1.287)], Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS-II) [OR = 2.805, 95%CI (0.854, 4.755)], length of hospital-stay before VAP onset (days) [OR = 2.639, 95%CI (0.387, 4.892)], in-ICU duration [OR = 3.958, 95%CI (0.894, 7.021)], Charlson index [OR = 1.000, 95%CI (0.889, 1.111)], overall hospital-stay [OR = 20.742, 95%CI (18.894, 22.591)], Medication of Quinolones [OR = 2.017, 95%CI (1.339, 3.038)], medication of carbapenems [OR = 3.527, 95%CI (2.476, 5.024)], combination of more than 2 prior antibiotics [OR = 3.181, 95%CI (2.102, 4.812)], and prior use of antibiotics [OR 2.971, 95%CI (2.001, 4.412)] were independent risk factors of MDR bacterial infection in VAP patients. Diabetes and mechanical ventilation duration before VAP onset showed no association with risk for MDR bacterial infection. This study has identified 10 risk factors associated with MDR bacterial infection in VAP patients. Identification of these factors would be able to facilitate the treatment and prevention of MDR bacterial infection in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small molecule kinase inhibitors (SMKIs) are of heightened interest in the field of drug research and development. There are 79 (as of July 2023) small molecule kinase inhibitors that have been approved by the FDA and hundreds of kinase inhibitor candidates in clinical trials that have shed light on the treatment of some major diseases. As an important strategy in drug design, computer-aided drug design (CADD) plays an indispensable role in the discovery of SMKIs. CADD methods such as docking, molecular dynamic, quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics, pharmacophore, virtual screening, and quantitative structure–activity relationship have been applied to the design and optimization of small molecule kinase inhibitors. In this review, we provide an overview of recent advances in CADD and SMKIs and the application of CADD in the discovery of SMKIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA), a secondary metabolite produced by Pseudomonas spp., exhibits a high inhibitory effect in Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), but less inhibitory effect in Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc), and almost no inhibitory effect in Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc). In our previous study, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging system was reported to be involved in PCA tolerance in Xanthomonas spp. However, the PCA tolerance mechanism of Xanthomonas spp. is unclear. In the current study, we constructed a Tn5-based transposon mutant library in Xcc and four highly PCA-sensitive insertion mutants were obtained. TAIL-PCR further confirmed that the Tn5 transposon was inserted in the cytochrome c maturation (CCM) system (XC_1893 , XC_1897) of these mutants. Disruption of the CCM system significantly decreased the growth, motility and tolerance of Xcc to PCA and other phenazines, such as phenazine and 1-OH-phenazine. The CCM system is responsible for the covalent attachment of the apocytochrome and heme. Disruption of the transmembrane thioredox protein (Dsb) pathway (XC_0531), an essential process for the formation of mature apocytochrome, also exhibited a decreased tolerance to PCA, suggesting that the defect of cytochrome c caused decreased tolerance of Xcc to PCA. Meanwhile, disruption of the CCM system or Dsb pathway interfered with the functions of cytochrome c proteins, causing an increased sensitivity to H 2 O 2. Collectively, we concluded that the CCM system and Dsb pathway, regulate the tolerance of Xcc to phenazines by influencing the functions of cytochrome c. Therefore, these results provide important references for revealing the action mechanism of PCA in Xanthomonas spp. • A Transposon insertion mutant library of Xcc was constructed. • Defect of cytochrome c maturation process decreased phenazines tolerance. • CCM system and Dsb pathway affected the functions of cytochrome c proteins. • Cytochrome c proteins influenced the phenazines tolerance more directly. • Cytochrome c proteins had greater impact on PCA tolerance than ROS scavenging system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the chief diabetes mellitus complications. Inflammation factors may be one reason for the damage from DM. The purpose of this research is to study the potential protective effects of puerarin on DM and the possible mechanisms of action related to NF-κB signal pathway. Following administration of puerarin to the disease model rat, several changes were observed including the changes of serum biochemical index, improved diastolic dysfunction, and enhanced endogenous antioxidant enzymes activities, further NF-κB signaling activation. Puerarin showed cardio-protective effects on DCM by inhibiting inflammation, and it might be a potential candidate for the treatment of DCM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The atmospheric and oceanic conditions before the onset of EP El Niño and CP El Niño in nearly 30 years are compared and analyzed by using 850 hPa wind, 20°C isotherm depth, sea surface temperature and the Wheeler and Hendon index. The results are as follows: In the western equatorial Pacific, the occurrence of the anomalously strong westerly winds of the EP El Niño is earlier than that of the CP El Niño. Its intensity is far stronger than that of the CP El Niño. Two months before the El Niño, the anomaly westerly winds of the EP El Niño have extended to the eastern Pacific region, while the westerly wind anomaly of the CP El Niño can only extend to the west of the dateline three months before the El Niño and later stay there. Unlike the EP El Niño, the CP El Niño is always associated with easterly wind anomaly in the eastern equatorial Pacific before its onset. The thermocline depth anomaly of the EP El Niño can significantly move eastward and deepen. In addition, we also find that the evolution of thermocline is ahead of the development of the sea surface temperature for the EP El Niño. The strong MJO activity of the EP El Niño in the western and central Pacific is earlier than that of the CP El Niño. Measured by the standard deviation of the zonal wind square, the intensity of MJO activity of the EP El Niño is significantly greater than that of the CP El Niño before the onset of El Niño. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method based on the dynamic model of the head-neck exoskeleton (HN-EXO) is presented for calculating the external forces/torque imposed on the platform. First, force analysis is conducted on each leg of the HN-EXO, and the Newton-Euler method is adopted to establish the relationship between the driven torques and the forces at the spherical joint. Second, a dynamic analysis is performed on the sensor group, and the relationship between the forces at the spherical joint and the feedback of the sensor assembled in the joint space is established. Third, the equation between the driven torque and the feedback of the sensor is derived based on the previous work. Fourth, Newton-Euler dynamic equations are incorporated into the system to determine the relationship between the human-machine interactive force and the feedback of the sensors. Finally, an experiment is conducted, the results of which are as follows. (1) The performance of the proposed algorithm is better than the existing one in terms of effectiveness, accuracy, and stability. (2) The maximum calculating time of the new method is 4.25×10-4 s, which is one-fifth of the control cycle period. Therefore, the new algorithm can be adopted to accomplish real-time control under the frequency of 500 Hz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastrin is an important gastrointestinal hormone produced primarily by G-cells in the antrum of the stomach. It normally regulates gastric acid secretion and is implicated in a number of human disease states, but how its function affects breast cancer (BC) development is not documented. The current study investigated the suppressive effects of gastrin on BC and its underlying mechanisms.Methods: Serum levels of gastrin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and correlation between gastrin level and development of BC was analyzed by chi-square test. Inhibitory effects of gastrin on BC were investigated by CCK-8 assay and nude mice models. Expressions of CCKBR/ERK/P65 in BC patients were determined through immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot. Survival analysis was performed using the log-rank test.Results: The results indicated that the serum level of gastrin in BC patients was lower compared with normal control. Cellular and molecular experiments indicated that reduction of gastrin is associated with inactivation of cholecystokinin B receptor (CCKBR)/ERK/P65 signaling in BC cells which is corresponding to molecular type of estrogen receptor (ER) positive BC. Furthermore, we found that low expression of gastrin/CCKBR/ERK /P65 was correlated to worse prognosis in BC patients. Gastrin or ERK/P65 activators inhibited ER+ BC through CCKBR-mediated activation of ERK/P65. Moreover, combination treatment with gastrin and tamoxifen more efficiently inhibited ER+ BC than tamoxifen alone.Conclusions: We concluded that low serum gastrin is related to increased risk of ER+ BC development. The results also established that CCKBR/ERK/P65 signaling function is generally tumor suppressive in ER+ BC, indicating therapies should focus on restoring, not inhibiting, CCKBR/ERK/P65 pathway activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relative roles of surface and topological effects on the nuclear relaxation rates T-11, T-12, and T-11ρ of polar or nonpolar liquids in porous sol-gel silica glasses are identified via their very different pore size and frequency dependences. On the basis of theory, experimental relaxation rates, and molecular dynamics simulations for the modeled porous systems, the 1/Ti’s are interpreted in terms of a linear combination of bulk, confinement, and surface effects: 1/Ti = 1/Tibulk + ai/R2+ bi/R, where R is the average pore size and ai and bi are given in terms of the usual relaxation parameters of the studied molecular species. This simple expression which allows the determination of the relative roles of surface and topological effects has been used to fit the observed 1H NMR relaxation rates as a function of pore size and frequency for methylcyclohexane, nitrobenzene, pyridine, and toluene both for nonmodified and surface modified porous silica glasses. Using this method, the surface (∝1/R) and pure geometrical (∝1/R2) relaxation contributions are evaluated and the surface and translational correlation times are calculated. More generally, the experimental data allow us to explain the following seemingly paradoxical results obtained for confined liquids: (i) The pure confinement effect is independent of the polarities of the liquid molecules in pores and is very sensitive to the frequency. (ii) The finding of the frequency variation of T-11 and T-11ρ both for polar or nonpolar liquids confined to small pores, shows that the geometrical confinement effects dominate over the surface interaction effects at low frequency and for small pores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pynegabine, an antiepileptic drug candidate in phase I clinical trials, is a structural analog of the marketed drug retigabine with improved chemical stability, strong efficacy, and a better safety margin. The reported shortest synthetic route for pynegabine contains six steps and involves the manipulation of highly toxic methyl chloroformate and dangerous hydrogen gas. To improve the feasibility of drug production, we developed a concise, three-step process using unconventional methoxycarbonylation and highly efficient Buchwald–Hartwig cross coupling. The new synthetic route generated pynegabine at the decagram scale without column chromatographic purification and avoided the dangerous manipulation of hazardous reagents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the potential of intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging (IVIM) for preoperative prediction of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in gastric cancer (GC). Methods: This study prospectively enrolled 90 patients (62 males, 28 females, 60.79 ± 9.99 years old) who received radical gastrostomy. Abdominal MRI examinations including IVIM were performed within 1 week before surgery. Patients were divided into LVI-positive and -negative group according to pathological diagnosis after surgery. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and IVIM parameters, including true diffusion coefficient (D), pseudodiffusion coefficient (D*), and pseudodiffusion fraction (f), were compared between the two groups. The relationship between MRI parameters and LVI was studied by Spearman's correlation analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to screen independent predictors of LVI. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analyses were applied to evaluate the efficacy. Results: The ADC, D in LVI-positive group were lower, whereas tumor thickness and f parameter in LVI-positive group were higher than those in LVI-negative group, and they were statistically correlated with LVI (p < 0.05). D, f and tumor thickness were independent risk factors of LVI. The area under the curve of ADC, D, f, thickness, and the combined parameter (D + f + thickness) were 0.667, 0.754, 0.695, 0.792, and 0.876, respectively. The combined parameter demonstrated higher efficacy than any other parameters (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The ADC, D, and f can effectively distinguish LVI status of GC. The D, f and thickness were independent predictors. The combination of the three predictors further improved the efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Recruited 40 young MDD patients and 42 rigorously matched HCs. • Mapped the specific and subtle gut dysbiosis in young MDD patients. • Changed taxa were related to depressive symptom severity. • Some microbiome functional modules altered in young MDD patients. There is growing basic and clinical evidence that major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with gut microbiome alterations, but clinical studies have tended not to adjust for confounding factors. And few studies on the gut microbiome focused on young adults with MDD. Here we performed a pilot study to compare the gut microbiome of young adults with MDD with healthy controls. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing was performed on stool samples obtained from 40 young adults with MDD and 42 healthy controls. After controlling for confounding factors including sex, age, BMI, alcohol or cigarette consumption, bowel movement quality, exercise or defecation frequency, we compared microbiome diversity between groups, identified differentially abundant taxa, and further compared functional differences through gut-brain and gut-metabolic module analysis. There were no significant differences in overall gut microbiome structure and function in young adults with MDD compared with controls. Abundance of Sutterellaceae and species belonging to Clostridium , Eubacterium , and Ruminococcus were significantly different between groups. The cysteine degradation I pathway was increased in MDD. After controlling for most confounding factors, this pilot study provides new evidence on the specific, often subtle gut dysbiosis affecting young adults with depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diaphorina citri, a vector of citrus huanglongbing (HLB) disease, frequently leads to HLB outbreaks and reduces Rutaceae crop production. Recent studies have investigated the effects of RNA interference (RNAi) targeting the Vitellogenin (Vg4) and Vitellogenin receptor (VgR) genes, which are involved in egg formation in this pest, providing a theoretical foundation for developing new strategies to manage D. citri populations. This study presents RNAi methods for Vg4 and VgR gene expression interference and reveals that dsVgR is more effective than dsVg4 against D. citri. We demonstrated that dsVg4 and dsVgR persisted for 3–6 days in Murraya odorifera shoots when delivered via the in-plant system (IPS) and effectively interfered with Vg4 and VgR gene expression. Following Vg4 and VgR gene expression interference, egg length and width in the interference group were significantly smaller than those in the negative control group during the 10–30-day development stages. Additionally, the proportion of mature ovarian eggs in the interference group was significantly lower than that in the negative control group at the 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30-day developmental stages. DsVgR notably suppresses oviposition in D. citri, with fecundity decreasing by 60–70%. These results provide a theoretical basis for controlling D. citri using RNAi to mitigate the spread of HLB disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Naphthospironone A, a polyhydroxy cagelike bioactive natural product, was synthesised for the first time in this study. The spiro[bicyclo[3.2.1]octane‐pyran] core was constructed by an acid‐promoted epoxide‐opening lactonisation and a base‐induced intramolecular aldol‐type cyclisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Naphthospironone A, a polyhydroxy cagelike bioactive natural product, was synthesised for the first time in this study. The spiro[bicyclo[3.2.1]octane‐pyran] core was constructed by an acid‐promoted epoxide‐opening lactonisation and a base‐induced intramolecular aldol‐type cyclisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phorbol esters and their derivatives, such as TPA, have been reported as potential natural antitumor products, with some derivatives entering clinical research for leukemia treatment. In this study, 16 phorbol derivatives were synthesized from phorbol, and their anti-leukemia activity against Jurkat, HL-60, and K562 were tested. The results showed that several derivatives had anti-leukemia activity, with 5B demonstrating the strongest cytotoxic activity against the K562 cell line (IC50 = 0.24 ± 0.04 μM). Based on the IC50 values, a structure-activity relationship was established. When the substituent contained an aromatic group, phorbol derivatives esterified with long-chain organic acids at three reactive hydroxyl groups (C12-OH, C13-OH, and C20-OH) had better activity. When aryl groups were absent from the substituent groups, phorbol derivatives esterified with short-chain organic acids at two hydroxyl groups had better activity. Derivatives esterified with heterocyclic acids, either tri-substituted or di-substituted, showed a significant decrease in cytotoxicity. The mechanism of anti-leukemia activity was explored through flow cytometry, which indicated that phorbol esters inhibited the growth of leukemia cells by inducing apoptosis, leading to cell death. Molecular docking data of compound 5B docking to PKC δ C1B suggested that substituent groups should not be too large, and caution should be taken when substituting C20-OH. Overall, these findings provide valuable insights into the design of more effective phorbol esters as anti-leukemia agents, but further research is needed to confirm their safety and efficacy in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wet air oxidation (WAO) is a clean and eco-friendly technology for dyes removal, but the high operating temperature and pressure limit its practical application. In the present work, an electric field-promoting (EF-promoting) catalytic WAO process is developed to degrade dyes under room condition. The oxidation kinetics of four different types of dyes and their degradation pathways are studied. A kinetic model is constructed by including the exogenous electric field into the Langmuir-Hinshelwood-Hougen-Watson (LHHW) mechanism framework, and quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis is conducted to correlate the kinetic parameters to the physicochemical properties of the dyes. A negative linear relationship is found between the adsorption equilibrium constants of the dyes and their first ionization energies, and their surface reaction rate constants are positively linearly associated to E sum (E LUMO + E HOMO). The degradation pathways of the different dyes are proposed according to the degradation intermediates and the activities of the atoms within the dye molecules. The heteroatoms N and S, and the atom C connecting the aromatic rings are identified as the susceptible sites upon the electrophilic attack of O 2. Bond cleavage at these sites gives rise to aromatic fragments which are eventually mineralized via carboxyl acids. The results of this work is helpful for guiding the design and operation of the EF-promoting catalytic WAO process into the treatment of various dye wastewaters. • Electric field-promoting catalytic wet air oxidation process is was developed. • Dyes of different families are totally mineralized at low energy consumption. • A mechanistic kinetic model incorporates electric field into surface catalysis. • Kinetic parameters of dyes are correlated to their quantum descriptors. • Degradation pathways are proposed based on intermediates and charge distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Review: 38 refs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generally speaking, the quark propagator is dependent on the quark chemical potential in the dense quantum chromodynamics (QCD). By means of the generating functional method, we prove that the quark propagator actually depends on p4 + iμ from the first principle of QCD. The relation between quark number density and quark condensate is discussed by analyzing their singularities. It is concluded that the quark number density has some singularities at certain μ when T = 0, and the variations of the quark number density as well as the quark condensate are located at the same point. In other words, at a certain μ the quark number density turns to nonzero, while the quark condensate begins to decrease from its vacuum value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is commonly accepted that the system undergoes a crossover at high temperature and low chemical potential beyond the chiral limit case, and the properties of the crossover region are important for researchers to understand the nature of strong interacting matters of quantum chromodynamics (QCD). Since at present there is no exact order of parameters of the phase transitions beyond the chiral limit, QCD susceptibilities are widely used as indicators. In this work various susceptibilities are discussed in the framework of Dyson–Schwinger equations. The results show that different kinds of susceptibilities give the same critical end point, which is the bifurcation point of the crossover region and the first order phase transition line of QCD. Nevertheless, different pseudocritical points are found in the temperature axis. We think that defining a critical band is more suitable in the crossover region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using entanglement swapping of high-level Bell states, we first derive a covert layer between the secret message and the possible output results of the entanglement swapping between any two generalized Bell states, and then propose a novel high-efficiency quantum information hiding protocol based on the covert layer. In the proposed scheme, a covert channel can be built up under the cover of a high-level quantum secure direct communication (QSDC) channel for securely transmitting secret messages without consuming any auxiliary quantum state or any extra communication resource. It is shown that this protocol not only has a high embedding efficiency but also achieves a good imperceptibility as well as a high security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Layered oxides of P2-type Na0.68Cu0.34Mn0.66O2, P2-type Na0.68Cu0.34Mn0.50Ti0.16O2, and O'3-type NaCu0.67Sb0.33O2 were synthesized and evaluated as cathode materials for room-temperature sodium-ion batteries. The first two materials can deliver a capacity of around 70 mAh/g. The Cu2+ is oxidized to Cu3+ during charging, and the Cu3+ goes back to Cu2+ upon discharging. This is the first demonstration of the highly reversible change of the redox couple of Cu2+/Cu3+ with high storage potential in secondary batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A chemical structure for the article "Total Synthesis of the Antibiotic Kendomycin: A Macrocyclization Using the Tsuji-Trost Etherification" by T. Sengoku and others published in the periodical "Angewandte Chemie International Edition" in 2014 is presented.

The association between serum uric acid (SUA) level and sexual dysfunction in patients with diabetes is not well characterized. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) causes metabolic disorders, including abnormal serum uric acid (SUA) levels. In this study, we enrolled 205 male patients with T2DM and investigated the relationship between sex hormone levels and SUA. Patients were divided into four groups based on SUA quartiles. On the other hand, based on the total testosterone (TT) level, patients were divided into three groups; SUA and other laboratory indices were determined. Increase in SUA level was significantly associated with decreased levels of TT, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, sex hormone-binding globulin, and increased levels of dehydroepiandrosterone, age, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, glycated hemoglobin, serum creatinine, and HOMA-IR levels. SUA, waist circumference, BMI, and HOMA-IR showed a negative correlation with TT level, while age showed a positive correlation with TT level. SUA and body mass index were found to be risk factors for gonadal dysfunction. Therefore, we conclude that hypogonadism of male patients with T2DM is related to SUA level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytophthora capsici is a highly destructive phytopathogenic oomycete with a broad host range and is responsible for tremendous losses. Euphorbia factor L3 (EFL3) is a natural plant-derived compound that has been widely studied in medicine and cosmetic applications. In this study, the sensitivity of 105 P. capsici isolates to EFL3 was determined, and the biological activity and physiological effects of EFL3 against P. capsici were investigated. The median effective concentration (EC50) values for EFL3 inhibition mycelial growth and spore germination ranged from 0.66 to 8.94 μg/mL (mean, 2.96 ± 0.91 μg/mL) and 1.63 to 13.16 μg/mL (mean, 5.30 ± 1.64 μg/mL), respectively. EFL3 treatment resulted in cell wall and cell membrane damage of P. capsici, which was revealed by morphological and ultrastructural observations, propidium iodide (PI) and calcofluor white (CFW) staining, and measurements of relative conductivity as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) and glycerol contents. In addition, the contents of phospholipid and cellulose, which are the major components of cell membrane and cell wall, were significantly reduced following EFL3 treatment. Furthermore, EFL3 provided protective as well as curative efficacies against P. capsici on detached tomato leaves and pepper seedlings in vivo. These data show that EFL3 exhibits strong inhibitory activity against P. capsici, thereby suggesting that it could be an effective alternative for controlling P. capsici-induced diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heterogeneous bismuth silicate is a promising and environmental photocatalytic material. However, the cross-linked structure limits its catalytic activity. Here, we report a visible-driven composite photocatalyst with high catalytic activity, namely BOS-PS (layered Bi 2 O 2 SiO 3 -Si 2 Bi 24 O 40 modified with template PS spheres), which can solve the problem. By controlling the concentration of template and changing the reaction time, the microscopic morphology can be adjusted to obtain effective heterojunction and heterogeneous interfaces as well as highly active exposed surfaces. In addition, compared with BOS (Bi 2 O 2 SiO 3 -Si 2 Bi 24 O 40)-0PS (polystyrene microspheres), BOS-12PS has a thinner sheet structure, and the photocatalytic performance of BOS-12PS photocatalyst (98% within 90 min) is twice than that of BOS-0PS. The improved performance is mainly attributed to the increase of ·OH radicals and the modulation of its energy band structure by the oxygen defect level. Specifically, on the one hand, BOS-12PS has more ·OH radicals and can produce ·O 2 − on the surface. On the other hand, due to its upward-moving structure (Vo level), BOS-12PS plays an important role in the degradation of pollutants. Especially, the effective heterojunction formed by Bi 2 O 2 SiO 3 and Si 2 Bi 24 O 40 significantly improves the separation efficiency and redox capability of the sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development and generalization of endoscopic technology and screening, clinical application of magnetically controlled capsule gastroscopy (MCCG) has been increasing. In recent years, various types of MCCG are used globally. Therefore, establishing relevant guidelines on MCCG is of great significance. The current guidelines containing 23 statements were established based on clinical evidence and expert opinions, mainly focus on aspects including definition and diagnostic accuracy, application population, technical optimization, inspection process, and quality control of MCCG. The level of evidence and strength of recommendations were evaluated. The guidelines are expected to guide the standardized application and scientific innovation of MCCG for the reference of clinicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]