Search

Physical or chemical stress is commonly known to inhibit protein translation at the cellular level. Since the process of protein translation requires catalysis by a multi-component machinery containing eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs) and ribosomes in a sequence of reactions, how the process fails to proceed and whether certain genes can escape such blockade have provoked research efforts. Lines of evidence have demonstrated that phosphorylation of eIF4E or dephosphorylation of 4E-binding proteins (4E-BPs) prevents the formation of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4F (eIF4F) complex, whereas phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2α) due to activation of heme-regulated inhibitor (HRI), general control nonderepressible 2 (GCN2), protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), or protein kinase R (PKR) by a diverse array of stressors prevents eIF2-GTP-tRNAiMet ternary complex assembly. These signal the abandonment of translation initiation via 5′-7-methylguanine (m7G) cap recognition by eIF4E. Stress can promote cleavage of tRNAs, impediment of rRNA processing, changes in the epitranscriptomic landscape, ribosome stalling or collision, activation of ribosomal surveillance systems, and assembly of the stress granules. Although these events contribute to the general inhibition of protein translation, a few proteins can bypass such negativity and become translated selectively. Such selective protein translation is primarily m7G cap independent through the integrated stress response or Internal Ribosomal Entry Site (IRES). The newly synthesized proteins often influence cell fate, facilitate cell survival, and build endogenous defense. Insights into the general inhibition of protein translation and selective translation of specific proteins will advance our understanding of the etiology or progression of human diseases involving cellular stress from viral infection or inflammation to myocardial infarction, stroke, or neurodegenerative disease. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 40, 943–947. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal wetlands act as natural buffers against wave energy and storm surges. In the course of energy dissipation, vegetation stems are exposed to wave action, which may lead to stem breakage. An integral component of wave attenuation modeling involves quantifying the extent of damaged vegetation, which relies on determining the maximum drag force (FDmax) and maximum moment of drag (MDmax) experienced by vegetation stems. Existing closed-form theoretical equations for MDmax and FDmax are only valid for linear and weakly nonlinear deep water waves. To address this limitation, this study first establishes an extensive synthetic dataset encompassing 256,450 wave and vegetation scenarios. Their corresponding wave crests, wave troughs, MDmax , and FDmax , which compose the dataset, are numerically computed through an efficient algorithm capable of fast computing fully nonlinear surface gravity waves in arbitrary depth. Seven dominant wave and vegetation related dimensionless parameters that impact MDmax and FDmax are discerned and incorporated as input feature parameters into an innovative sparse regression algorithm to reveal the underlying nonlinear relationships between MDmax , FDmax and the input features. Sparse regression is a subfield of machine learning that primarily focuses on identifying a subset of relevant feature functions from a feature function library. Leveraging this synthetic dataset and the power of sparse regression, concise yet accurate closed-form equations for MDmax and FDmax are developed. The discovered equations exhibit good accuracy compared with the ground truth in the synthetic dataset, with a maximum relative error below 6.6% and a mean relative error below 1.4%. Practical applications of these equations involve assessment of the extent of damaged vegetation under wave impact and estimation of MDmax and FDmax on cylindrical structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding gene expression in different cell types within their spatial context is a key goal in genomics research. SPADE (SPAtial DEconvolution), our proposed method, addresses this by integrating spatial patterns into the analysis of cell type composition. This approach uses a combination of single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and histological data to accurately estimate the proportions of cell types in various locations. Our analyses of synthetic data have demonstrated SPADE's capability to discern cell type-specific spatial patterns effectively. When applied to real-life datasets, SPADE provides insights into cellular dynamics and the composition of tumor tissues. This enhances our comprehension of complex biological systems and aids in exploring cellular diversity. SPADE represents a significant advancement in deciphering spatial gene expression patterns, offering a powerful tool for the detailed investigation of cell types in spatial transcriptomics. SPADE integrates single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and histological data to estimate cell type composition, enhancing understanding of cellular dynamics and tumor tissue diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary of Background Data.With the increasing incidence and mortality of refractory mycoplasma pneumonia (RMPP), the early diagnosis and treatment of RMPP have attracted more and more attention and have become a major concern in pediatrics. Objective. The study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of children with RMPP and to explore the biomarkers for the early prediction of RMPP, thus providing references for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of RMPP in children. Methods. Baseline clinical characteristics, clinical symptoms, physical examination, chest imaging, and laboratory indicators between children with RMPP and general refractory mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (GMPP) were compared. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent risk factors for RMPP. ROC curves were adopted to analyze the predictive values of biomarkers. Results. The RMPP group had more severe clinical symptoms and manifestations on imaging (including pleural effusion, pulmonary consolidation, and pulmonary atelectasis), a higher incidence of extrapulmonary complications, and a longer duration of hospital stays. Results of multiple logistic regression analysis showed that serum D-dimer (OR = 8.169, P < 0.001), C-reactive protein (CRP) (OR = 1.146, P < 0.001), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (OR = 1.025, P < 0.001) levels were independent risk factors for RMPP. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) in RMPP prediction was 0.841, 0.870, and 0.893 for serum levels of D-dimer, CRP, and LDH, respectively (P < 0.001), with a cutoff value of 1.47 ng/ml, 39.34 mg/L, and 379 IU/L, respectively. Conclusions. Serum D-dimer, CRP, and LDH levels were related to the severity of mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children and had potential as biomarkers for the early prediction of RMPP, suggesting great applicative values for the early diagnosis and timely intervention of children with RMPP in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the mechanical effects of vegetation, both root reinforcement and trees’ weight, on slope stability using the Morgenstern–Price method. Root reinforcement was equivalently expressed as root additional cohesion, which varied upon vegetation type and the depth of the root zone. The gravity of trees was simplified as a uniformly distributed load on the slope surface. Three types of variables, including vegetation type, slope geometry, and soil type, were considered. Parametric analysis shows that the response of the factor of safety (FoS) of slopes with different soil textures to the mechanical effects of vegetation significantly differs. The mature forest-covered sand slope with the smallest length and the lowest slope angle exhibits the largest increase in FoS of 34.3% relative to the plain soil slope. With the same configuration, the relative improvement in FoS of silt slopes is only 1/8 to 1/4 of that of sand slopes. The stability enhancement for clay slopes by vegetation is very limited (< 1.5%), and in certain situations, the stability even decreases. Moreover, we find that the Morgenstern–Price method can accurately estimate the additional destabilizing and stabilizing forces due to the mechanical effects, which allows its contribution to the improved FoS to be quantitatively divided into three components: additional cohesion from root system, trees’ surcharge, and variation in depth of slip surface. Generally, the findings of this paper deepen the understanding of the mechanical effects of vegetation on soil slope stability and provide a baseline for future eco-geotechnical engineering design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The collection of relevant information about the vulnerability of infrastructure damaged by landslides is not an easy task due to the existence of several compounding factors and uncertainties. This makes it difficult to quantitatively estimate their vulnerability to slow-moving landslides. This paper presents a new vulnerability assessment model for masonry buildings on slow-moving landslides based on physical models and field observations. A masonry building model is made of brick and concrete at a scale of 1:10 to physically simulate the damage in structures caused by ground tension cracks commonly developed on slow-moving landslides. The tension crack opening process is simulated through a load-controlled table with an aperture on which the building model is constructed. The strain on the wall and its foundation were measured, and the damage of the model (crack formation and evolution for each loading step) was collected, described, and analyzed. These data were used to develop failure criteria for masonry buildings in rural areas in China in terms of a quantitative vulnerability curve. The quantitative model of vulnerability for masonry structures was established based on fuzzy mathematics and the Weibull function applied on the test data and observations. The vulnerability curve is verified with field cases of masonry buildings damaged by ground tension cracks associated with slow-moving landslides in the Three Gorges Reservoir area. The results support further testing and use of vulnerability curve proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of perovskite solar cells, organic–inorganic hybrid Pb–Sn perovskite solar cells have attracted more and more attention in recent years due to their low toxicity, narrow bandgap and advantages of tandem solar cells. But for the present Pb–Sn mixed perovskite, the open circuit voltage is still at a relatively low level. Herein, phenyl–ethyl ammonium bromide (PEABr) was introduced into the perovskite structure by the method of composition regulation, and high quality and stable Pb–Sn perovskite MA0.5FA(0.5-x)PEAxPb0.5Sn0.5I(3-x)Brx films and devices were generated. Compared with the Pb–Sn mixed perovskite without component control treatment, the band structure of perovskite optimized by PEABr changes and the transport of charge carriers is promoted due to the introduction of PEA+ and Br−. In addition, the decomposition of perovskite caused by water and oxygen can be effectively slowed down due to the high stability and hydrophobic characteristics of the two-dimensional material PEA+. Finally, the efficiency of the Pb–Sn mixed perovskite device regulated by PEABr increased from 14.2% to 16.1%, and it could be maintained in the nitrogen environment for 14 days without significant efficiency attenuation, while the efficiency of the perovskite device without PEABr regulation decreased significantly. " [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the effects and safety of intermittent versus continuous control of cuff pressure in patients with mechanical ventilation. Background: Tracheal cuff pressure management is vital to the prognosis of patients with mechanical ventilation. Design: A meta‐analysis. Methods: This meta‐analysis was conducted and reported according to the PRISMA checklist. We searched Pubmed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, BMJ Best Practice, Web of Science, ProQuest Dissertations, as well as the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Wanfang, and China national knowledge infrastructure databases up to 5 August 2022 for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on the intermittent versus continuous control of cuff pressure. Review Manager 5.3 software was used for relevant data analysis. Results: A total of 18 RCTs involving 1998 patients with mechanical ventilation were included. The synthesised outcomes indicated that continuous control of cuff pressure is beneficial to reduce the incidence of ventilator‐associated pneumonia (VAP) [RR = 0.41, 95%CI (0.35, 0.49)], aspiration [RR = 0.36, 95%CI (0.21, 0.63)], duration of mechanical ventilation [MD = ‐3.23, 95%CI (−4.66, −1.79)], length of ICU stay [MD = ‐4.12, 95%CI (−5.40, −2.83)], and increase the volume of subglottic drainage [MD = 18.54, 95%CI (16.50, 20.58)]. There was no significant difference in the mortality between two groups [RR = 1.01, 95%CI (0.84, 1.21)]. Egger regression analyses showed that there were no obvious publication biases in the synthesised results (all p >.05). Conclusions: Existing evidence shows that compared with intermittent monitoring of cuff pressure, continuous monitoring of cuff pressure can reduce the occurrence of aspiration and VAP, shorten the patient's duration of mechanical ventilation and length of ICU stay. Relevance to Clinical Practice: Continuous monitoring of cuff pressure is more beneficial and should be promoted in clinical nursing care of patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Uterine cervical carcinoma is a severe health threat worldwide, especially in China. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) has revised the staging system, emphasizing the strength of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We aimed to investigate long-term prognostic factors for FIGO 2018 stage II–IIIC2r uterine cervical squamous cell carcinoma following definitive radiotherapy and establish a prognostic model using MRI-derived tumor volume. Methods: Patients were restaged according to the FIGO 2018 staging system and randomly grouped into training and validation cohorts (7:3 ratio). Optimal cutoff values of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) and tumor volume derived from MRI were generated for the training cohort. A nomogram was constructed based on overall survival (OS) predictors, which were selected using univariate and multivariate analyses. The performance of the nomogram was validated and compared with the FIGO 2018 staging system. Risk stratification cutoff points were generated, and survival curves of low-risk and high-risk groups were compared. Results: We enrolled 396 patients (training set, 277; validation set, 119). The SCC-Ag and MRI-derived tumor volume cutoff values were 11.5 ng/mL and 28.85 cm3, respectively. A nomogram was established based on significant prognostic factors, including SCC-Ag, poor differentiation, tumor volume, chemotherapy, and FIGO 2018 stage. Decision curve analysis indicated that the net benefits of our model were higher. The high-risk group had significantly shorter OS than the low-risk group in both the training (p < 0.0001) and validation sets (p = 0.00055). Conclusions: Our nomogram predicted long-term outcomes of patients with FIGO 2018 stage II–IIIC2r uterine cervical squamous cell carcinoma. This tool can assist gynecologic oncologists and patients in treatment planning and prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explored the relationship between helping behaviour and career marketability, explicating the underlying mechanisms and boundary conditions in that relationship. A total of 203 full-time Chinese workers (female = 51.2%; mean age = 32.27 years, SD = 6.34 years; managers = 16.7%) in the construction industry completed a two-wave survey on helping behaviour and career marketability. Path analyses results indicated that helping behaviour enhances both perceived internal and external marketability. Psychological meaningfulness and work attentiveness sequentially mediated the relationship between helping behaviour and career marketability positively. Psychological entitlement moderates the indirect relationships between helping behaviour and career marketability for those with low psychological entitlement. In our sample, male employees had higher work attentiveness than female employees. This study provides important insights about psychological meaningfulness and work attentiveness as work resources for career advancement through helping behaviours. Human resources managers may improve organisational productivity by rewarding helping behaviour at work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explored the relationship between the abusive supervision of leaders and employee silence in the face-oriented culture of East Asia by using conservation of resources theory. Survey data were collected using a multiperiod, multisource method conducted with 350 employees and their supervisors. Results were as follows: (a) The relationship between abusive supervision and employee silence was mediated by the perceived face threat of employees, (b) leader status positively moderated the relationship between abusive supervision and employees' perceived face threat, and (c) trait anger of employees positively moderated the relationship between perceived face threat and silence. Therefore, if leaders use abusive supervision to manage their subordinates, they need to consider their own status and the individual characteristics of their subordinates, and a higher leadership status can ease the discomfort of subordinates who are abused. However, abusive supervision is not suitable for improving the performance of subordinates with trait anger because it will further strengthen their silence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the purposes for superiors to abuse subordinates is to obtain a positive response from subordinates by conveying a negative attitude. However, abusive behavior cannot guarantee positive behaviors due to the differences in subordinates' characteristics, such as feedback seeking. Based on the conservation of resources (COR) theory, this study explores the relationship between abusive supervision by superiors and feedback seeking by subordinates in East Asian cultures. Questionnaires were collected from multiple time points and multiple sources. Datum analysis was performed on 318 paired questionnaires between employees and direct supervisors. The results showed that: (1) Employees' perceived face threat has a mediating effect on the relationship between abusive supervision and feedback seeking. (2) Self-affirmation of subordinates positively moderates the relationship between abusive supervision and perceived face threat. (3) Self-handicapping of subordinates positively moderates the relationship between perceived face threat and feedback seeking. This not only explains the mechanism of perceived face threat in the influence of abusive supervision on employees' feedback-seeking behavior, but also reveals the boundary effect of employees' self-affirmation and self-handicapping characteristics in it, which expands the theoretical explanation framework of the influence of abusive supervision on employees' feedback-seeking behavior and also provides new ideas for managers to better implement management in the organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Since the success of online communities depend on physicians' participation, understanding factors that influence community participation and content contribution are critical for online health communities (OHCs). Drawing on the self-determination theory (SDT), an empirical model was proposed to explore the effects of social returns and economic returns on physicians' community participation, private content contribution and public content contribution, and the moderating effect of their online seniority. This paper aims to address these issues. Design/methodology/approach: Empirical data of 4,343 physicians were collected from a Chinese OHC, and ordinary least squares (OLS) and negative binomial regression models were employed to verify the proposed theoretical model. Findings: The authors' results indicate that both social and economic returns have a positive effect on physicians' community participation and private content contribution, and their online seniority strengthens the positive effects of economic returns on community participation and private content contribution. Originality/value: The authors' research extends physicians' community participation by dividing content contribution into private and public, and enhances our understanding of the determinants of physicians' participation in OHCs by exploring the effects of social and economic returns, as well as the moderating effect of online seniority. Their findings contribute to the literature on e-Health and user participation, and provide management implications for OHC managers. Peer review: The peer review history for this article is available at https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-11-2021-0615/ [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to explore diagnostic biomarks and immune cell infiltration characteristics in ulcerative colitis (UC). We used the dataset GSE38713 as the training set and dataset GSE94648 as the test set. A total of 402 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained from GSE38713. Annotating, visualizing, and integrating discovery of these differential genes was performed using Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Gene and Genome Encyclopedia Pathway (KEGG), and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). Protein–protein interaction networks were constructed from the STRING database, and protein functional modules were identified using the CytoHubba plugin of Cytoscape. Random forest and LASSO regression were used to screen for UC-related diagnostic markers, and ROC curves were generated to validate their diagnostic value. The composition of 22 immune cells was analyzed, and the immune cell infiltration in UC was analyzed using CIBERSORT. Results: Seven diagnostic markers associated with UC were identified: TLCD3A, KLF9, EFNA1, NAAA,WDR4, CKAP4, and CHRNA1. Immune cell infiltration assessment revealed that macrophages M1, activated dendritic cells, and neutrophil cells infiltrated relatively more compared to normal control samples. Our results suggest a new functional feature of UC and suggest potential biomarkers for UC through comprehensive analysis of integrated gene expression data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid organic–inorganic perovskite (HOIP) ferroelectrics with high Curie temperature (Tc), typified by the lead halide hybrid perovskite ferroelectrics, are developing rapidly owing to their maneuverable ferroelectricity at high temperatures. However, acquiring high‐Tc lead‐free HOIP ferroelectrics via rational strategy still needs development. In this study, a brand‐new program by modulating the steric confinement in a cuplike cavity to design high‐Tc bismuth‐halide ferroelectrics [H2mdap]BiX5 (H2mdap = N‐Methyl‐1,3‐Propanediamine, X = Cl (1), Br (2), I(3)) is proposed. Emphatically, the Tc enhanced dramatically from 264 K of 3 to 318 K of 2 and 377 K of 1, induced by the substitution of Br and Cl to I, accompanied with an interesting transition from second‐order phase transition (for 3) to the first‐order one (for 1 and 2). The extent of Tc increase is up to 113 K, which far outweighs that of reported Pb‐halide hybrid ferroelectrics. Structural and computational analyses elucidate that this unprecedented improvement of Tc is due to the higher phase transition energy barriers induced by modulating the steric confinement of cuplike cavity via halogen substitution. These results will provide new inspiration for designing high‐Tc lead‐free HOIP ferroelectrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Perineal pain is a painful neuropathic condition, which does not have a standard diagnostic or treatment approach. As such, we sought to evaluate the global scientific output of research into perineal pain and explore trends from 1981 to 2021 using bibliometric methods. Methods: Articles on perineal pain were retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS) database. We analyzed the content and quality of publications from within the specified timeframe. We also utilized VOSviewer to mine and cluster data from retrieved articles. Results: A total of 1917 articles were collected. The number of related papers published increased year by year. Articles were most frequently published by authors in the United States and France. Although the US remains at the center of this field, publications from China have become more frequent in recent years. We also found that French academic institutions dominate the field of perineal pain, and Jean-Jacques Labat from Nantes Universite is the most published author in the field. "Episiotomy", "pain", "management", "prostatectomy", "pelvic pain", and "complication" were frequently cited as keywords. Conclusion: The increasing number of publications each year indicates that perineal pain has gained more attention as an important research topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Ovalbumin (OVA) is the most abundant protein in egg white, with excellent functional properties (e.g., gelling, foaming, emulsifying properties). Nevertheless, OVA has strong allergenicity, which is usually mediated by specific IgE thus results in gut microbiota dysbiosis and causes atopic dermatitis, asthma, and other inflammation actions. Processing technologies and the interactions with other active ingredients can influence the functional properties and allergic epitopes of OVA. This review focuses on the non-thermal processing technologies effects on the functional properties and allergenicity of OVA. Moreover, the research advance about immunomodulatory mechanisms of OVA-mediated food allergy and the role of gut microbiota in OVA allergy was summarized. Finally, the interactions between OVA and active ingredients (such as polyphenols and polysaccharides) and OVA-based delivery systems construction are summarized. Compared with traditional thermal processing technologies, novel non-thermal processing techniques have less damage to OVA nutritional value, which also improve OVA properties. OVA can interact with various active ingredients by covalent and non-covalent interactions during processing, which can alter the structure or allergic epitopes to affect OVA/active components properties. The interactions can promote OVA-based delivery systems construction, such as emulsions, hydrogels, microencapsulation, nanoparticles to encapsulate bioactive components and monitor freshness for improving foods quality and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optimal antithrombotic strategy after percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) has not yet been established. The advisability of administering low-dose direct oral anticoagulation after LAAC to patients at high risk of bleeding is uncertain. Thus, in the present study, we evaluated the safety and effectiveness of reduced-(15 mg) or half-dose rivaroxaban (10 mg) versus warfarin regarding real-world risks of thromboembolism, bleeding, and device-related thrombosis (DRT) after LAAC. Patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation and HASBLED ≥ 3 who had undergone successful LAAC device implantation from October 2014 to April 2020 were screened and those who had received 10 mg or 15 mg rivaroxaban or warfarin therapy were enrolled. The patients were followed up 45 days and 6 months after LAAC to evaluate outcomes, including death, thromboembolism, major bleeding, and DRT. Of 457 patients with HASBLED ≥ 3 who had undergone LAAC, 115 had received warfarin and 342 rivaroxaban (15 mg: N = 164; 10 mg: N = 178). There were no significant differences in the incidence of thromboembolism or DRT between the warfarin and both doses of rivaroxaban groups (all p > 0.05). The incidence of major bleeding was significantly higher in the warfarin group than in either the reduced- or half-dose rivaroxaban groups (warfarin vs. rivaroxaban 15 mg: 2.6% vs. 0%, p = 0.030; warfarin vs. rivaroxaban 10 mg: 2.6% vs. 0%, p = 0.038). Either reduced- or half-dose rivaroxaban may be an effective and safe alternative to warfarin therapy in patients with LAAC and who are at high risk of bleeding, the risk of thromboembolism being similar and of major bleeding lower for both doses of rivaroxaban. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the utilization of fast-responding pressure-sensitive paint (fast PSP) to identify the discrete tonal noise generated in 55 deg inclined jet impingement. Cases of subsonic (Ma=0.80) and supersonic (Ma=1.21) jet impingement with nozzle-to-plate distances of h/d=2,4,6, and 8 are investigated. The fluctuating wall-pressure field measured using fast PSP at high spatiotemporal resolutions provides unique insights into the discrete tonal noises associated with inclined jet impingement. A far-field microphone is used to validate the frequency of each tonal noise. The fast PSP data are subjected to spectral proper orthogonal decomposition, and the results demonstrate wave propagation along the wall surface. At Ma=0.80, the circumferential propagation characteristics of the identified discrete tones correspond to the toroidal mode of the shear layer instability wave. As h/d increases, the dominant tone decays, and several secondary tones disappear. Screech tones are identified at Ma=1.21 and h/d=6 and 8. Two perpendicular flapping modes are identified at the discrete tone for each h/d, and the dominant flapping direction varies with h/d. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nrf2 gene encodes a transcription factor best known for regulating the expression of antioxidant and detoxification genes. A long list of small molecules has been reported to induce Nrf2 protein via Keap1 oxidation or alkylation. Many of these Nrf2 inducers exhibit off-target or toxic effects due to their nature as electrophiles. In searching for non-toxic Nrf2 inducers, we found that a culture medium change to fresh DMEM is capable of inducing Nrf2 protein in HeLa, HEK293, AC16 and MCF7 cells. Testing the components of DMEM led to the discovery of L-Cystine as an effective Nrf2 inducer. L-Cystine induces a dose-dependent increase of Nrf2 protein, from 0.1 to 1.6 mM. RNA-seq analyses and RT-PCR revealed an induction of multiple Nrf2 downstream genes, including NQO1, HMOX1, GCLC, GCLM, SRXN1, TXNRD1, AKR1C and OSGIN1 by 0.8 mM L-Cystine. The induction of Nrf2 protein was dependent on L-Cystine entering cells via the cystine/glutamate antiporter and the presence of Keap1. The half-life of Nrf2 protein increased from 19.4 min to 30.9 min with 0.8 mM L-Cystine treatment. L-Cystine was capable of eliciting cytoprotection by reducing ROS generation and protecting against oxidant- or doxorubicin-induced apoptosis. As an amino acid derivative, L-Cystine is considered a non-toxic Nrf2 inducer that exhibits the potential for protection against oxidative stress and tissue injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In previous study, we showed that nucleolar protein 66 (NO66) is a chromatin modifier and negatively regulates Osterix activity as well as mesenchymal progenitor differentiation. Genetic ablation of the NO66 (RIOX1) gene in cells of the Prx1-expressing mesenchymal lineage leads to acceleration of osteochondrogenic differentiation and a larger skeleton in adult mice, whereas mesenchyme-specific overexpression of NO66 inhibits osteochondrogenesis resulting in dwarfism and osteopenia. However, the impact of NO66 overexpression in cells of the osteoblast lineage in vivo remains largely undefined. Here, we generated osteoblast-specific transgenic mice overexpressing a FLAG-tagged NO66 transgene driven by the 2.3 kB alpha-1type I collagen (Col1a1) promoter. We found that overexpression of NO66 in cells of the osteoblast lineage did not cause overt defects in developmental bones but led to osteoporosis in the long bones of adult mice. This includes decreased bone volume (BV), bone volume density (bone volume/total volume, BV/TV), and bone mineral density (BMD) in cancellous compartment of long bones, along with the accumulation of fatty droplets in bone marrow. Ex vivo culture of the bone marrow mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (BMSCs) from adult Col1a1-NO66 transgenic mice showed an increase in adipogenesis and a decrease in osteogenesis. Taken together, these data demonstrate a crucial role for NO66 in adult bone formation and homeostasis. Our Col1a1-NO66 transgenic mice provide a novel animal model for the mechanistic and therapeutic study of NO66 in osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high penetration of electric vehicles (EVs) will burden the existing power delivery infrastructure if their charging and discharging are not adequately coordinated. Dynamic pricing is a special form of demand response that can encourage EV owners to participate in scheduling programs. Therefore, EV charging and discharging scheduling and its dynamic pricing model are important fields of study. Many researchers have focused on artificial intelligence-based EV charging demand forecasting and scheduling models and suggested that artificial intelligence techniques perform better than conventional optimization methods such as linear, exponential, and multinomial logit models. However, only a few research studies focused on EV discharging scheduling (i.e., vehicle-to-grid, V2G) because the concept of EV discharging electricity back to the power grid is relatively new and evolving. Therefore, a review of existing EV charging and discharging-related studies is needed to understand the research gaps and to make some improvements in future studies. This paper reviews EV charging and discharging-related studies and classifies them into forecasting, scheduling, and pricing mechanisms. The paper determines the linkage between forecasting, scheduling, and pricing mechanism and identifies the research gaps in EV discharging scheduling and dynamic pricing models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A dominator coloring (resp. total dominator coloring) of a graph G is a proper coloring of the vertices of G in which each closed neighborhood (resp. open neighborhood) of every vertex of G contains a color class. The dominator chromatic number (resp. total dominator chromatic number) of G is the minimum number of colors required for a dominator coloring (resp. total dominator coloring) of G. In this paper, we determine the dominator chromatic number and total dominator chromatic number of the circulant graph Cn(1, 2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noise pollution from wind turbines has been receiving significant attention with the rapid increase in global wind power installation, especially in urban environments where population density is high. Several countries tried to quantify the relation between wind turbine design characteristics and noise impact levels. To date, no quantitative results have been presented, while it is believed that the vertical axis wind turbine has advantages compared to horizontal axis wind turbines in certain applications. With the purpose to enhance understanding of noise pollution caused by vertical axis wind turbines in the urban environment, a systematic experimental test campaign in an anechoic wind tunnel was conducted. The results demonstrate that low-frequency noise increasingly affects humans when the wind speed increases. The blade-passing frequency is identified as a major parameter in the generation of low-frequency noise. More importantly, the noise pollution from various designs is discussed to analyze the impacts on humans and various animals. These designs are analyzed according to national standards from different countries. It is found that an optimal design of a vertical axis wind turbine is suitable for the urban environment with minimal noise impact. • Noise of vertical axis wind turbines is studied experimentally in a systematic way. • The impact level of low-frequency noise increases as the wind speed increases. • The blade-passing frequency is a major parameter in the low-frequency noise. • Optimal design philosophies are recommended based on different urban environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been found as novel participants in the pathophysiology of prostate cancer (PCa), which is predominantly regulated by androgen and its receptor. The biological function of androgen-responsive lncRNAs remains poorly understood. Here, we identified that lncRNA RP11-1023L17.1, which is highly expressed in PCa. RP11-1023L17.1 expression, can be directly repressed by the androgen receptor in PCa cells. RP11-1023L17.1 depletion inhibited the proliferation, migration, and cell cycle progression, and promoted the apoptosis of PCa cells, indicating that RP11-1023L17.1 acts as an oncogene in PCa cells. Microarray results revealed that RP11-1023L17.1 depletion downregulated the c-Myc transcription signature in PCa cells. RP11-1023L17.1 depletion-induced cellular phenotypes can be overcome by ectopically overexpressed c-Myc. Mechanistically, RP11-1023L17.1 represses FBXO32 mRNA expression, thereby enhancing c-Myc protein stability by blocking FBXO32-mediated c-Myc degradation. Our findings reveal the previously unrecognized roles of RP11-1023L17.1 in c-Myc-dependent PCa tumorigenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The significant development of catalytic biomass conversion has provided a large library of chemicals ready for subsequent upgrading to polymerisable monomers for the design and preparation of sustainable polymers. In this study, hydroxyethylation of eugenol by using green ethylene carbonate as alkylation reagent and cheap tetrabutylammonium iodide ionic liquids as green solvents and catalysts produced 2‐(4‐allyl‐2‐methoxyphenoxy)ethan‐1‐ol with a 85% yield, which could be used to construct an in situ CO2 capture and conversion system by taking the reversible chemistry of alcoholic compounds with CO2 in the presence of superbases, on which α,ω‐diene functionalized carbonate monomers were successfully prepared and were applied in thiol‐ene click and acyclic diene metathesis polymerisation (ADMET), producing a series of poly(thioether carbonate)s and unsaturated aromatic aliphatic polycarbonates with moderate molecular weights and satisfactory thermal properties. The structures of the formed CO2 reversible ILs, the polymerisable monomers and the corresponding polymers were fully characterized by various technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Thrombocytopenia is common among sepsis patients. Platelet transfusions are frequently administered to increase platelet counts, but their clinical impacts remain unclear in sepsis‐induced thrombocytopenia. The goal of this study was to explore the association between platelet transfusion and mortality in patients with sepsis‐induced thrombocytopenia. Materials and Methods: The study was based on the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC) III database. Septic patients with severe thrombocytopenia (a platelet count ≤ 50/nl) were included in the study and were divided into two groups: a platelet transfusion group (PT group) and a no platelet transfusion group (NPT group). The primary outcome was in‐hospital mortality, and the secondary outcomes were the length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay (LOS‐ICU) and 90‐day mortality. Propensity score matching multivariable logistic regression was used to reduce the imbalance. Results: A total of 1733 patients were included: 296 patients were included in the PT group and 1437 patients were included in the NPT group. After propensity score matching, 296 paired patients constituted each group. Crude hospital mortality was significantly higher in the PT group than in the NPT group (145 [48.99%] vs. 567 [39.46%], p = 0.002). In the extended multivariable logistic models for hospital mortality, the odds ratio (OR) of receiving a platelet transfusion was consistently significant in all six models (OR range, 1.340–1.525, p < 0.05 for all). In the following subgroups, platelet transfusion was associated with increased in‐hospital mortality: age > 60 years; sex: female; sequential organ failure assessment score ≤8; simplified acute physiology score ≤ 47; platelet count >29/nl and the complication of congestive heart failure. However, there were no significant differences in the 90‐day mortality rate (170 [57.43%] vs. 741 [51.57%], p = 0.066) or the LOS‐ICU (5.84 [2.68–11.78] vs. 4.94 [2.18–12.72], p = 0.442) between the two groups. All these results remained stable after adjustment for confounders and in the comparisons after propensity score matching. Conclusions: The propensity score‐matched analysis showed that platelet transfusion was associated with increased in‐hospital mortality in septic patients with severe thrombocytopenia (a platelet count ≤ 50/nl). However, it was not associated with 90‐day mortality or the length of ICU stay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary bone malignancy in children and adolescents with a high incidence and poor prognosis. Activation of the RAS pathway promotes progression and metastasis of osteosarcoma. RAS has been studied in many different tumors; however, the prognostic value of RAS-associated genes in OS remains unclear. On this basis, we investigated the RAS-related gene signature and explored the intrinsic biological features of OS. Methods. We obtained RNA transcriptome sequencing data and clinical information of osteosarcoma patients from the TARGET database. RAS pathway-related genes were obtained from the KEGG pathway database. Molecular subgroups and risk models were developed using consensus clustering and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, respectively. ESTIMATE algorithm and ssGSEA analysis were used to assess the tumor microenvironment and immune penetrance between the two groups. A comprehensive review of gene ontology (GO) and KEGG analyses revealed inherent biological functional differences between the two groups. Results. The consistent clustering showed stratification of osteosarcoma patients into two subtypes based on RAS-associated genes and provided a robust prediction of prognosis. A risk model further confirmed that RAS-related genes are the best prognostic indicators for OS patients. GO analysis showed that GDP/GTP binding, focal adhesion, cytoskeletal motor activity, and cell-matrix junctions were associated with the RAS-related model group. Furthermore, RAS signaling in osteosarcoma based on KEGG analysis was significantly associated with cancer progression, with immune function and tumor microenvironment particularly affected. Conclusion. We constructed a prognostic model founded on RAS-related gene and demonstrated its predictive ability. Then, furtherly exploration of the molecular mechanisms and immune characteristics proved the role of RAS-related gene in the dysregulation in OS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of high-efficiency theranostic nanoagents that can be utilized in tumor diagnosis and treatment has been investigated extensively in recent years. However, most of the existing nanoagents consist of uncommon materials and complex shell structures. Despite the efforts that have been made, the development of a simple and easily synthesized theranostic nanoplatform that can be applied in optical-based imaging-guided photothermal therapy still remains a challenge. In this paper, we investigated the optical characteristics of nanoparticle aggregates as potential theranostic nanoplatforms. The mechanism of spectrum shifting and the optical properties of contacting and non-contacting short nanochains were investigated. It was found that the near-field interaction of the gold nanosphere will not shift the localized surface plasmon resonance peak to the near-infrared region. However, when the nanospheres are connected to each other, a low energy resonance peak will be excited. On this basis, a simple hybrid theranostic nanoagent consisting of different nanosphere clusters was proposed. The nanohybrid exhibits high absorption and low scattering in the first near-infrared window (NIR-I) and high scattering and near-zero absorption in the second NIR (NIR-II). This characteristic can be beneficial to tumor diagnosis and treatment, i.e., NIR-I for photothermal therapy and NIR-II for optical imaging. Numerical results show that the performance of the proposed hybrid theranostic nanoagent remains excellent even with the existence of potential impurities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious and disabling central nervous system injury. Its complex pathological mechanism can lead to sensory and motor dysfunction. It has been reported that signaling pathway plays a key role in the pathological process and neuronal recovery mechanism of SCI. Such as PI3K/Akt, MAPK, NF-κB, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. According to reports, various stimuli and cytokines activate these signaling pathways related to SCI pathology, thereby participating in the regulation of pathological processes such as inflammation response, cell apoptosis, oxidative stress, and glial scar formation after injury. Activation or inhibition of relevant pathways can delay inflammatory response, reduce neuronal apoptosis, prevent glial scar formation, improve the microenvironment after SCI, and promote neural function recovery. Based on the role of signaling pathways in SCI, they may be potential targets for the treatment of SCI. Therefore, understanding the signaling pathway and its inhibitors may be beneficial to the development of SCI therapeutic targets and new drugs. This paper mainly summarizes the pathophysiological process of SCI, the signaling pathways involved in SCI pathogenesis, and the potential role of specific inhibitors/activators in its treatment. In addition, this review also discusses the deficiencies and defects of signaling pathways in SCI research. It is hoped that this study can provide reference for future research on signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of SCI and provide theoretical basis for SCI biotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The magnetic PDA-Fe 3 O 4 -MXene nanohybrids were obtained by PDA-mediated and co-precipitation. • The synthesized hydrogels demonstrate both anisotropic mechanical performance and conductivity. • The conductive hydrogel-based sensors showcased a broad working range (3–300%). • The MXene-based hydrogel sensor not only monitor human body movements but also recognize written content. In recent years, conductive hydrogel-based flexible electronic sensor devices have gained widespread attention in the fields of flexible wearable devices, human-machine interaction interfaces, medical monitoring, etc. However, conventional conductive hydrogels struggle to concurrently achieve exceptional mechanical properties and high conductivity, often exhibiting isotropic mechanical performance and sensing characteristics. In contrast, biological tissues typically demonstrate anisotropic mechanical properties and sensing capabilities due to their ordered microstructure. Drawing inspiration from the ordered structures of biological tissues, this study proposed a simple strategy to fabricate high-strength anisotropic MXene-based conductive hydrogels. Initially, a magnetic and conductive two-dimensional nanohybrid material (PDA-Fe 3 O 4 -MXene) was synthesized via acid etching and PDA-mediated co-precipitation methods. Secondly, a magnetic field-induced orientation strategy was employed to induce the oriented arrangement of PDA-Fe 3 O 4 -MXene within a dual-network polyvinyl alcohol/polyacrylamide (PAAm/PVA) hydrogel. Subsequently, the oriented PDA-Fe 3 O 4 -MXene structure was fixed in the dual-network hydrogel by the photopolymerization and freezing-thawing methods. The anisotropic conductive hydrogel exhibited a highly oriented structure, conferring its anisotropic mechanical properties and conductivity. Its mechanical and conductive performances were enhanced in an anisotropic manner, demonstrating outstanding tensile strength (156 KPa) and good conductivity (1.10 mS/cm). Moreover, the conductive hydrogel-based sensors showcased a broad working range (3 %–300 %), rapid response time (290 ms), high sensitivity, and exceptional stability. This work presents a novel approach for constructing flexible electronic devices based on anisotropic hydrogels, offering promising prospects for various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water-based materials are important to mitigate the concern on solvent-based products. Incorporation of reactive isocyanate-based crosslinking agents is key to improve material performance, while intense, nonhomogeneous reaction causes short operation duration and uncontrollable product quality. Herein, this study proposes a H w -H o -NCO (hydrophilic part-hydrophobic segment-NCO group) structural model to overcome such issue by forming water-compatible isocyanate emulsions via self-emulsification of castor oil-modified water-dispersible isocyanate (WDI). The properties of WDI and obtained emulsions were analyzed through visual appearance, titration of -NCO content, droplet size determination, microstructure, etc. Aggregation and sedimentation of the isocyanate emulsions upon storage occur owing to lack of hydrophilic groups on droplet surface, while sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-assisted secondary emulsification improves the emulsion stability. The emulsions are used as crosslinking agents to formulate composite waterborne adhesives with the white latex (EVA-102), reaching maximal pot life of 8 h. The plywood specimens manufactured using the composite adhesive show enhanced adhesion performances, particularly for wet strength I and II, exceeding the Chinese national standard (GB/T 9846–2015). This study confirms the capability of using the structural model to create stable isocyanate emulsions that can target to formulate high-performance waterborne adhesives for clean and green production in wood industry. [Display omitted] • Stable isocyanate emulsions were constructed using castor oil-modified PAPI. • The SDS-assisted stability of the isocyanate emulsion was extended up to 10 h. • The maximal pot life of composite adhesive with isocyanate emulsion was 8 h. • The plywood bonded with composite adhesive exhibited enhanced wet strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1) A triboelectric series of polymers based on the measurement of triboelectrification with a conductive solution (3.5 wt% NaCl solution) was established, which can be used to rank the triboelectric properties of polymers rubbing with NaCl solution. In the triboelectric series, carbon chain polymers generally demonstrate more significant triboelectric performance than the heterocatenary polymers. In addition, the fluoropolymers show more significant triboelectric performance than other carbon chain polymers. 2) Electron transfer is the main mechanism of triboelectric charge transfer between polymers and aqueous solutions, and ion transfer and liquid molecular transfer are less significant than electron transfer. [Display omitted] • A triboelectric series of polymers based on the measurement of triboelectrification with a conductive solution (3.5 wt% NaCl solution) was established. • Mechanisms of the effects of the electronegativity of the functional groups, EDL, and wettability on the triboelectrification properties were analyzed. • Electron transfer is the main mechanism of triboelectric charge transfer between polymers and aqueous solutions. • A term called triboelectronegativity was proposed, which refers to the triboelectric properties of polymers rubbing with NaCl solution. Triboelectrification between polymers and aqueous solutions has received much attention in energy harvesting, self-powerful sensing, and other fields. However, the triboelectric series between commonly used polymers and aqueous solutions have not been systematically measured and studied. Based on the established solid–liquid triboelectric charge measurement method, we quantitatively measured the charge density caused by the triboelectric charge transfer among 14 common polymers and established a triboelectric series of polymers rubbing with sodium chloride solution. The influence mechanisms of the electronegativity of the functional groups, structures of the electric double layer, and wettability on the triboelectrification between polymer and aqueous solution were discussed in detail. And it was found that electron transfer is the main mechanism of triboelectric charge transfer between polymers and aqueous solutions. This work provides a new perspective for the quantitative study of polymer triboelectric series, helps to deeply understand the nature of the triboelectrification phenomenon of polymers, and may serve as guidance for designing and preparing new polymer materials with excellent triboelectric properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One novel decanuclear copper cluster, {[Cu10(L)8(CH3COO)2(μ3- OH)2]·(DMF)2·(H2O)5} (1, H2L = (E)- 2-(((4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)imino)methyl)-6-methoxyphenol, DMF = N,N'-dimethyl-formamide), were obtained by room temperature micro-bottle reaction. The complex 1 was characterized using elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffractometry. 1 is decanuclear copper cluster. The {Cu10O4(N2triazol)8} core displays dominant antiferromagnetic interactions owing to the μ3-OH, and μ2-Ophenoxo bridged binding modes with g = 2.126, J = − 6.81 × 10 - 4 cm−1, and zJ' = − 0.577 cm−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/Introduction: There are mixed opinions on the influence of diabetes on the prognosis of patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Therefore, in this study, the quantitative flow ratio (QFR), an emerging technology of functional evaluation, was used to explore the impact of diabetes on coronary physiology in patients who underwent PCI. Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent successful PCI and a 1‐year angiographic follow up were retrospectively screened and analyzed by the QFR. Based on the presence or absence of diabetes, 677 enrolled patients (794 vessels) were classified into a diabetes group (211 patients, 261 vessels) and a non‐diabetes group (466 patients, 533 vessels). The results of QFR analysis and clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results: The two groups reached a similar level of post‐PCI QFR (0.95 ± 0.09 vs 0.96 ± 0.06, P = 0.292). However, at the 1‐year follow up, the QFR was lower (0.93 ± 0.11 vs 0.96 ± 0.07, P < 0.001), and the degree of QFR decline was more obvious (−0.024 ± 0.090 vs −0.008 ± 0.070, P = 0.023) in the diabetes group. Additionally, diabetes was independently associated with functional restenosis (odds ratio 2.164, 95% confidence interval 1.210–3.870, P = 0.009) and target vessel failure (odds ratio 2.654, 95% confidence interval 1.405–5.012, P = 0.003). Conclusion: As evaluated by the QFR, patients with diabetes received less coronary physiological benefit from PCI, which was consistent with their clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Degenerative disk disease (DDD) remains the leading incentive of severe lumbago. DDD is mainly caused by degeneration of cartilage endplate (CEP). Cartilage endplate stem cells (CESCs) are essential in chondrogenesis and osteogenesis of CEP. This study investigated the mechanism of miR-637 inhibiting osteogenic differentiation of human CESC by regulating WNT5A. Methods: The degenerative CEP (N = 10) and non-degenerative CEP (N = 6) were obtained from patients undergoing disk fusion surgery. CESCs were examined for surface stem cell markers, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels, osteogenic differentiation, osteogenic genes (Runx2, COL1), and chondrogenic gene (COL2). The miR-637 expression in CESCs was detected. The targeting relationship of miR-637 and WNT5A was confirmed. After miR-637 overexpression/WNT5A down-regulation, the action of miR-637/WNT5A on osteogenic differentiation of CESCs was evaluated. After simultaneous overexpression of miR-637/WNT5A, the effect of miR-637 on osteogenic differentiation of CESCs was assessed. Results: miR-637 was down-expressed in degenerative CESCs (D-CESCs), and miR-637 overexpression inhibited the osteogenic differentiation of D-CESCs, while inhibition of miR-637 promoted the osteogenic differentiation ability of D-CESCs. miR-637 targeted WNT5A and down-regulation of WNT5A inhibited the osteogenic differentiation of D-CESCs. Up-regulated WNT5A partially annulled the inhibitory action of miR-637 overexpression on osteogenic differentiation of D-CESCs. Conclusion: miR-637 inhibited osteogenic differentiation of D-CESCs via targeting WNT5A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) may have overlapping Alzheimer's disease pathology. We investigated the longitudinal rate of tau accumulation and its association with neurodegeneration and clinical disease progression in DLB. Methods: Consecutive patients with probable DLB (n = 22) from the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and age‐matched and sex‐matched cognitively unimpaired controls (CU; n = 22) with serial magnetic resonance imaging and flortaucipir positron emission tomography scans within an average of 1.6 years were included. Regional annualized rates of flortaucipir uptake standardized uptake value ratios (SUVr) were calculated. Regional annualized rates of cortical volume change were measured with the Tensor Based Morphometry–Syn algorithm. Results: The annual increase of flortaucipir SUVr was greater in the middle and superior occipital, fusiform, and inferior parietal cortices in DLB (mean: 0.017, 0.019, 0.019, and 0.015, respectively) compared with the CU (mean: −0.006, −0.009, −0.003, and − 0.005, respectively; P < 0.05). In patients with DLB (but not the CU), a longitudinal increase in flortaucipir SUVr was associated with longitudinal cortical atrophy rates in the lateral occipital and inferior temporoparietal cortices, hippocampus, and the temporal pole as well as a concurrent decline on Mini‐Mental State Examination and Clinical Dementia Rating–Sum of Boxes in the lateral occipital and the fusiform cortices. Conclusions: Tau accumulation was faster in DLB compared with the CU, with increased accumulation rates in the lateral occipital and temporoparietal cortices. These increased rates of tau accumulation were associated with neurodegeneration and faster disease progression in DLB. Tau may be a potential treatment target in a subset of patients with DLB. © 2022 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zero forcing is an iterative graph coloring process that starts with a subset S of "colored" vertices, all other vertices being "uncolored". At each step, a colored vertex with a unique uncolored neighbor forces that neighbor to be colored. If at the end of the forcing process all the vertices of the graph are colored, then the initial set S is called a zero forcing set. If in addition, every vertex in S is within distance 2 of another vertex of S, then S is a semitotal forcing set. The semitotal forcing number F t 2 (G) of a graph G is the cardinality of the smallest semitotal forcing set of G. In this paper, we begin to study basic properties of F t 2 (G) , relate F t 2 (G) to other domination parameters, and establish bounds on the effects of edge operations on the semitotal forcing number. We also investigate the semitotal forcing number for subfamilies of cubic graphs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Trueperella pyogenes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are two important bacterial pathogens closely relating to the occurrence and development of forest musk deer respiratory purulent disease. Although T. pyogenes is the causative agent of the disease, the subsequently invaded P. aeruginosa will predominate the infection by producing a substantial amount of quorum-sensing (QS)-controlled virulence factors, and co-infection of them usually creates serious difficulties for veterinary treatment. In order to find a potential compound that targets both T. pyogenes and P. aeruginosa, the antibacterial and anti-virulence capacities of 55 compounds, which have similar core structure to the signal molecules of P. aeruginosa QS system, were tested in this study by performing a series of in vitro screening experiments. Results: We identified that furazolidone could significantly reduce the cell densities of T. pyogenes in mono-culture or in the co-culture with P. aeruginosa. Although the growth of P. aeruginosa could also be moderately inhibited by furazolidone, the results of phenotypic identification and transcriptomic analysis further revealed that sub-inhibitory furazolidone had remarkable inhibitory effect on the biofilm production, motility, and QS system of P. aeruginosa. Moreover, furazolidone could efficiently protect Caenorhabditis elegans models from P. aeruginosa infection under both fast-killing and slow-killing conditions. Conclusions: This study reports the antibacterial and anti-virulence abilities of furazolidone on T. pyogenes and P. aeruginosa, and provides a promising strategy and molecular basis for the development of novel anti-infectious drugs to dealing with forest musk deer purulent disease, or other diseases caused by T. pyogenes and P. aeruginosa co-infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myocardial infarction is the most common form of acute coronary syndrome. Blockage of a coronary artery due to blood clotting leads to ischemia and subsequent cell death in the form of necrosis, apoptosis, necroptosis and ferroptosis. Revascularization by coronary artery bypass graft surgery or non-surgical percutaneous coronary intervention combined with pharmacotherapy is effective in relieving symptoms and decreasing mortality. However, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated from damaged mitochondria, NADPH oxidases, xanthine oxidase, and inflammation. Impairment of mitochondria is shown as decreased metabolic activity, increased ROS production, membrane permeability transition, and release of mitochondrial proteins into the cytoplasm. Oxidative stress activates Nrf2 transcription factor, which in turn mediates the expression of mitofusin 2 (Mfn 2) and proteasomal genes. Increased expression of Mfn2 and inhibition of mitochondrial fission due to decreased Drp1 protein by proteasomal degradation contribute to mitochondrial hyperfusion. Damaged mitochondria can be removed by mitophagy via Parkin or p62 mediated ubiquitination. Mitochondrial biogenesis compensates for the loss of mitochondria, but requires mitochondrial DNA replication and initiation of transcription or translation of mitochondrial genes. Experimental evidence supports a role of Nrf2 in mitophagy, via up-regulation of PINK1 or p62 gene expression; and in mitochondrial biogenesis, by influencing the expression of PGC-1α, NResF1, NResF2, TFAM and mitochondrial genes. Oxidative stress causes Nrf2 activation via Keap1 dissociation, de novo protein translation, and nuclear translocation related to inactivation of GSK3β. The mechanism of Keap 1 mediated Nrf2 activation has been hijacked for Nrf2 activation by small molecules derived from natural products, some of which have been shown capable of mitochondrial protection. Multiple lines of evidence support the importance of Nrf2 in protecting mitochondria and preserving or renewing energy metabolism following tissue injury. [Display omitted] • Myocardial ischemia and reperfusion produce ROS via mitochondria and oxidases. • ROS activates Nrf2 transcript factor by protein translation or protein stabilization. • Nrf2 increases Mfn2, PINK1, p62, PGC-1α, NResF1 and mitochondrial gene expression. • Nrf2 aids in regulation of mitochondrial hyerfusion, mitophagy and biogenesis. • Nrf2 inducers show mitochondrial protection in animal models of cardiac injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malignant tumor is still a leading threat to human health. Despite the rapid development of targeted therapeutic strategies, any treatment specifically acting on single target would inevitably suffer from tumor resistance, largely due to the genetic instability and variability of tumor cells. Thus, traditional therapies such as broad-spectrum chemotherapy would certainly occupy an important position in clinical cancer therapy. Nevertheless, most chemotherapeutic drugs have long been criticized for unsatisfactory therapeutic efficacy with severe off-target toxicity. Although several chemotherapeutic nanomedicines with improved therapeutic safety have been applied in clinics, the therapeutic outcomes still do not fulfill expectation. To address this challenge, enormous efforts have been devoted to developing novel nano-formulations for efficient delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs. Herein, we aim to outline the latest progression in the emerging nanomedicines of paclitaxel (PTX), with special attention to the functional nanocarriers, self-delivering prodrug-nanoassemblies and combination nanotherapeutics of PTX. Finally, the challenges and opportunities of these functional PTX nanomedicines in clinical translation are spotlighted. [Display omitted] • Biomedical nanotechnology significantly facilitates PTX delivery. • Smart PTX delivery can be realized by designing functional nanocarriers. • Emerging prodrug-nanoassemblies of PTX shows promising application prospects. • Combination nanotherapeutics of PTX boost multimodal cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ginsenoside F1 has high medicinal values, which is a kind of rare triterpene saponin isolated from Panax plants. The extremely low content of ginsenoside F1 in herbs has limited its research and application in medical field. In this work, we constructed a pathway in tobacco for the biosynthesis of ginsenoside F1 by metabolic engineering. Four enzyme genes (PnDDS , CYP716A47, CYP716S1 and UGT71A56) isolated from Panax notoginseng were introduced into tobacco. Thus, a biosynthetic pathway for ginsenoside F1 synthesis was artificially constructed in tobacco cells; moreover, the four exogenous genes could be expressed in the roots, stems and leaves of transgenic plants. Consequently, ginsenoside F1 and its precursors were successfully synthesized in the transgenic tobacco, compared with Panax plants, the content of ginsenoside F1 in transgenic tobacco was doubled. In addition, accumulation of ginsenoside F1 and its precursors in transgenic tobacco shows organ specificity. Based on these results, a new approach was established to produce rare ginsenoside F1; meanwhile, such strategy could also be employed in plant hosts for the heterologous synthesis of other important or rare natural products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-healing technology based on microcapsules (MCs) holds great promise for preventing material performance deterioration, extending material lifespan, and reducing maintenance costs. In this study, a novel pH-responsive MC with a vanillin-based Schiff base polyurea shell and an isocyanate core was successfully prepared using interfacial polymerization. Vanillin-based Schiff base-containing triamines were synthesized, and their existence was confirmed through ATR-FTIR and 1H NMR analyses. The core-shell structures of the MCs were identified using FTIR and TGA. Additionally, the excellent response of the MCs to acid rain was demonstrated by determining the core content and recording optical images of the healing agent release process, with the fastest release rate observed at a pH of 2.98. According to the FTIR and TGA results, the release of the healing agent was continuous rather than occurring at once. The MCs were incorporated into outdoor building materials (OBMs) (carbon steel, concrete, and wood) as a coating in conjunction with paint or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The pressure response, hydrogen bonding response, and hydrophobicity of the composite coating were assessed using SEM and water contact angle measurements. After subjecting the materials to 50 cycles of acid rain wet-dry tests (pH = 5.03), the carbon steel remained largely rust-free, whereas untreated carbon steel could only withstand a single cycle. Consequently, this study highlights a novel green structure and scalable manufacturing process for functional self-healing MCs, with significant implications for the advancement of stimulus-responsive composite materials and the realization of a sustainable and environmentally friendly economy. [Display omitted] • Vanillin-based Schiff base triamine was first prepared successfully. • Schiff base structure was first introduced to self-healing microcapsule shells. • The microcapsules exhibited a sensitive acid rain response capability. • The microcapsules containing smart coating achieved multiple protective mechanisms. • The coated metal kept rust-free after 50 cycles of acid rain (pH = 5.03) tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural fibers are promising as enhancements for gypsum. Herein, the effect of using untreated, NaOH-modified, and dual-modified hemp fibers on enhancing performances of gypsum composites is examined. The dual-modification strategy applies secondary treatment on NaOH-treated fibers with NaClO, polyoxyethylene, or Tween-80. The fibers and composites are characterized by SEM, ATR-FTIR, XRD, mechanical strength, etc. The secondary modification enhances interfacial compatibility between gypsum and fibers. Compared with pure gypsum, the elastic modulus and bending strength of the composites with dual-modified fibers increase by 56% and 42%, respectively. Hydration process reveals that dual-modification using polyoxyethylene contributes to form dense, compact composite structures. • Hemp fibers were used as green additives to improve mechanical property of gypsum. • NaOH treatment of fibers enhanced compatibility by removing surface impurities. • The dual-modified composite using PEO exhibited the optimal performances. • The reinforcing mechanism of hemp fibers involved formation of denser structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional staple food is the trend of industrialization of staple food in our country. It is an important way to make staple food with some specific functions.The physicochemical properties and HMG-CoA inhibition of extruded rice with red yeast rice flour (RYRF) addition were investigated. Results showed that RYRF addition was beneficial to produce hypolipidemic functional staple foods from extruded rice, involving in color, short-range order, HMG-CoA inhibition, porosity, crystallinity, and mass loss. These were mainly attributed to the biochemical reaction of RYRF which could inhibit the recrystallization of amylopectin and HMG-CoA reductase activity. Among the five concentrations of RYRF additives (0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%, 3.0%, 4.0% w/w), the extruded rice with 3% RYRF addition achieved the best data in terms of porosity, crystallinity, mass loss and HMG-CoA inhibition rate. [Display omitted] • The red yeast rice flour (RYRF) improved the quality and function of extruded rice. • The RYRF inhibited recrystallization of amylopectin and HMG-Co A reductase activity. • The study provides a new idea for the application of red yeast in functional food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A comprehensive review of g-C 3 N 4 -based membranes for ionic resource recovery. • The design strategies of g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets for membranes are highlighted. • Two types of g-C 3 N 4 -based membranes are reviewed based on their preparation method. • Membranes extract/separate valuable ions, metal ions, radionuclides, and desalinate. Resource recovery from wastewater, seawater and salt lakes has attracted significant attention due to its economic and environmental benefits. Recent achievements in membrane technology have allowed efficient recovery of ionic resources from water, and various membranes have been developed to selectively reject, and recover salts and metals in water steams. With the requirement of high ion selectivity, a wide range of nanomaterials are employed in these membranes. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4), as two-dimensional nanosheets, with an abundant and intrinsically uniform pore structure network, tunable interlayer spaces, easy and low-cost synthesis, tailored functionality and promising stability, shows high prospects for ion-selective separation. This comprehensive review outlines the development of advanced g-C 3 N 4 -based membranes for ionic resource recovery. First, design strategies of g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets for membranes are highlighted in terms of experimental characteristics and molecular dynamic simulations. Next, g-C 3 N 4 -based membranes made as lamellar membranes and mixed matrix membranes are emphasized, based on their preparation method. Finally, current applications of g-C 3 N 4 -based membranes in ionic resource recovery are presented: valuable ion extraction, metal ion separation, radionuclide capture and desalination. This tutorial review provides insightful guidance on the design strategies, fabrication methods and ionic resource recovery applications of g-C 3 N 4 -based membranes for resource sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) can cause serious clinical consequences and, fortunately, it is remediable while the time window for treatment is relatively narrow. Therefore, it is urgent to screen all premature infants and diagnose ROP degree timely, which has become a large workload for pediatric ophthalmologists. We developed a retinal image-free procedure using small amount of blood samples based on the plasma Raman spectrum with the machine learning model to automatically classify ROP cases before medical intervention was performed. Statistical differences in infrared Raman spectra of plasma samples were found among the control, mild (ZIIIS1), moderate (ZIIIS2 & ZIIS1), and advanced (ZIIS2) ROP groups. With the different wave points of Raman spectra as the inputs, the outputs of our support vector machine showed that the area under the curves in the receiver operating characteristic (AUC) were 0.763 for the pair comparisons of the control with the mild groups, 0.821 between moderate and advanced groups (ZIIS2), while more than 90% in comparisons of the other four pairs: control vs. moderate (0.981), control vs. advanced (0.963), mild vs. moderate (0.936), and mild vs. advanced (0.953), respectively. Our study could advance principally the ROP diagnosis in two dimensions: the moderate ROPs have been classified remarkably from the mild ones, which leaves more time for the medical treatments, and the procedure of Raman spectrum with a machine learning model based on blood samples can be conveniently promoted to those hospitals lacking of the pediatric ophthalmologists with experience in reading retinal images. • A novel approach to classifying ROP with mild symptoms that require regular screening but not immediate medical intervention. • The moderate ROPs (ZIIIS2 & ZIIS1) and advanced ROPs (ZIIS2) have been distinguished remarkably from the mild ones (ZIIIS1). • Probably first demonstration of the feasibility of using machine learning to diagnose ROP based on plasma Raman spectrums. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]