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Novel magneto‐optical (MO) properties can be actualized through well‐designed nanostructures, greatly improving the application value of MO effects. As only p‐polarized light can generate transverse magneto‐optical Kerr effect (TMOKE) in traditional MO materials, it is quite challenging and valuable to effectuate TMOKE under s‐polarization incidence at optical frequencies. The constructed nanopillar structures in this work can realize a clear TMOKE under both s‐polarization and p‐polarization incidences, as proved by experiments and simulations. Under s‐polarized incident light with an elevation angle of 45°, electric dipole resonance (EDR) and electric quadrupole resonance (EQR) are excited, resulting in the significant enhancement of TMOKE (five orders of magnitude higher than for the planar Co film). The intensity of s‐polarized TMOKE shows an increase with the enhancing diameter and height of the nanopillar structure. The amplitude of p‐polarized TMOKE is also appreciably increased due to the excitation of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) and localized surface plasmons (LSPs). Moreover, the Fe and Ni nanopillars display similar reflectivity and s‐polarized TMOKE behaviors in simulations. The s‐polarized TMOKE is unexpectedly observed in ferromagnetic metals for the first time, which builds up a considerable platform for the development and application of novel MO phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mode selectivity in the prototypical H + CH3D reaction is investigated by the initial state selected time-dependent wave packet method within a ten-dimensional quantum dynamics model. The model is a novel reduced dimensional model for the X + YCZ3 reaction, which allows the CZ3 to break C3V symmetry. The calculated reaction probabilities initially from different reactant vibrational states show that the CH3 stretching modes excitations obviously promote the H-abstraction reaction but have a slight influence on the D-abstraction reaction. In contrast, the CD stretching mode excitation significantly enhances the D-abstraction reaction. For both H- and D-abstraction reactions, the excitation of either the CH3 umbrella bending mode or the CH3 rocking mode shows a promotional effect on the reactivity, while fundamental excitation of the CH3 bending mode has a negligible effect. Impressively, the first-overtone excitation of CH3 bending mode remarkably promotes the H-abstraction reaction, resulting from the 1:2 Fermi coupling between the CH3 symmetric stretching mode and the first overtone of CH3 bending mode. In addition, translational energy is more efficient than vibrational energy in promoting the H-abstraction reaction at low energy, while vibrational energy becomes more efficient for the D-abstraction reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces focused ion beam (FIB) processing for the first time to etch and thin β‐Ga2O3 microflakes, while exploring the effect of their thicknesses on the phototransistor performance. It is found that when the β‐Ga2O3 microflakes reach a certain thickness, the phototransistors switch from the depletion mode to the enhancement mode, exhibiting extremely low dark current without a gate voltage. The enhancement‐mode phototransistor prepared using this method demonstrates a photo‐dark current ratio as high as 2.3 × 105, a responsivity of 6.3 × 104 A W−1, and an external quantum efficiency of 3.1 × 107% when irradiated with incident light at a wavelength of 254 nm and a power density of 8 µW cm−2. Additionally, the device has a rise time of 43 ms and a fall time of 28 ms, respectively. By using FIB processing to etch and thin β‐Ga2O3 microflakes, this study effectively overcomes the poor controllability and low repeatability associated with the traditional mechanical exfoliation method, as well as the residual impurities from the plasma etching method. This opens up a new avenue for fabricating the high‐performance, low‐dimensional phototransistors based on β‐Ga2O3 with high repeatability and controllability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A light‐induced thermoelastic spectroscopy (LITES) based on carbon nanotubes (CNT), graphene oxide (GO), and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) coated quartz tuning fork (QTF) was proposed. In order to improve the conversion efficiency of laser energy radiation into the vibration of tuning fork, thin CNT, GO, and rGO layers were coated on the surface of commercial QTF, respectively. Ammonia (NH3) gas was selected as the target analyte for the experimental validation. The experimental results show that the system's maximum gain factor in signal amplitude and signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) are 1.52, 1.53, 2.43, and 1.54, 1.33, 2.24 times, respectively, as compared with the traditional LITES with bare QTF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastric cancer ranked third worldwide in terms of mortality. The immediate priority is to search for new prognosticative or therapeutic targets. This research aims to examine the function of the NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit S4 (NDUFS4) in the malignant phenotype of gastric carcinoma. We analyzed the correlation between NDUFS4 expression and gastric cancer via bioinformatics analysis and cancer tissue microarray via immunohistochemistry. Also, we detected the phenotype change in gastric cancer cells after NDUFS4 was downregulated. NDUFS4's high expression in gastric cancer tissues showed an association with terminal TNM stage and unfavorable survival. Furthermore, downregulation of NDUFS4 decreased gastric cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Nude mouse models revealed that NDUFS4 promotes tumor growth. This investigation highlights the prognostic role of NDUFS4 in gastric cancer. Our results also creatively ascertained NDUFS4 as a candidate for gastric cancer therapeutic targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The locational marginal price (LMP) theory is the foundation of nowadays electricity markets. With the rapid growth of intermittent renewable generation, new features are emerging in power systems, such as the uncertainty of power supply, the scarcity of flexibility, and the increase of distributed generation. In this situation, the electricity pricing scheme needs to be augmented with new features to meet requirements of incentive compatibility, cost causation‐awareness, revenue adequacy, and transparency in a new market environment. Though a broad spectrum of literature has investigated extensions of the LMP addressing different challenges, a panorama of these extension directions is absent. To this end, this paper provides a systematic review of existing LMP extension research from four aspects, including pricing with non‐convexity, pricing with multiple intervals, pricing with uncertainty, and pricing in distribution systems. These extension directions are derived from the impacts of the power system evolution on dispatch and pricing models. For each extension direction, the motivation and basic problem setup are introduced, followed by a critical survey of related research progress. Future directions and research gaps of the LMP extension are also indicated in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy and safety of low-dose bolus plus continuous infusion of penehyclidine in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) following bimaxillary surgery. Methods: Three hundred fifty-four patients were randomly allocated into three groups. In the Control group, placebo (normal saline) was injected before anesthesia and infused over 48 h after surgery; in the Bolus group, 0.5 mg penehyclidine was injected before anesthesia, whereas placebo was infused after surgery; in the Infusion group, 0.25 mg penehyclidine were injected before anesthesia, another 0.25 mg penehyclidine was infused after surgery. The primary endpoint was the incidence of PONV within 72 h. Results: A total of 353 patients were included in intention-to-treat analysis. The PONV incidence was 61.0% (72/118) in the Control group, 40.2% (47/117) in the Bolus group, and 28.0% (33/118) in the Infusion group. The incidence was significantly lower in the Bolus group than in the Control group (RR 0.66; 95% CI 0.51–0.86; adjusted P = 0.003) and in the Infusion group than in the Control group (RR 0.46; 95% CI 0.33–0.63; adjusted P < 0.001); the difference between the Infusion and Bolus groups was not statistically significant (RR 0.70; 95% CI 0.48–1.00; adjusted P = 0.144). Emergence agitation occurred more frequently in the Bolus group than in the Control group (36.8% [43/117] vs. 21.2% [25/118], adjusted P = 0.027), but did not differ significantly between the Infusion and Control groups. Conclusions: A low-dose bolus plus continuous infusion of penehyclidine was effective in preventing PONV without increasing emergence agitation. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov. Identifier: NCT04454866. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the article "Enhancement-Mode Phototransistors Based on β-Ga2O3 Microflakes Fabricated by Focused Ion Beams" published in Advanced Optical Materials, the authors Huarong Yang, Hua Yu Feng, and their colleagues introduce a new method for etching and thinning β-Ga2O3 microflakes using focused ion beam (FIB) processing. By controlling the thickness of the microflake, they are able to transition the β-Ga2O3 phototransistor from depletion mode to enhancement mode, resulting in improved performance. This method, which utilizes O2 adsorption and interfacial charge depletion, demonstrates excellent results for enhancement-mode phototransistors. [Extracted from the article]

Mixed-mode chromatography (MMC) with the specially-designed ligands shows good adsorption selectivity for protein separation. In this study MMC was explored to purify recombinant human serum albumin (rHSA) from Pichia pastoris culture broth, which combined bind-elute and flow-through modes. Four mixed-mode resins were evaluated for their adsorption capacities of HSA. It was found that two home-made MMC resins showed special performances. IC-B-6FF resin with indole-3-acetic acid-cysteine ligand had high adsorption and selectivity towards HSA, and SFA-B-6FF resin with sulfapyridine ligand showed minimal binding to HSA. Therefore, a two-step MMC separation strategy was designed that IC-B-6FF was used to capture rHSA directly from yeast culture broth and then SFA-B-6FF resin was used to polish the remaining impurities by flow-through mode. The results revealed that the purity of rHSA reached 95.1% with a yield of 81.2% after the two-step separation. The removal rate of host cell proteins (HCPs) was 99.8% with final HCP level as low as 50 ppm. The results demonstrate that MMC combining bind-elute and flow-through modes has a promising potential to separate protein with high selectivity and process efficiency. • Human serum albumin (HSA) adsorption by mixed-mode resins was studied. • Mixed-mode resins with high-HSA-adsorption and low-HSA-adsorption were tested. • Two-step separation strategy for rHSA purification was proposed. • The rHSA was purified from the fermentation broth of Pichia pastoris. • The purity of rHSA reached 95.1% with the recovery of 81.2%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early lung cancer detection remains a clinical challenge for standard diagnostic biopsies due to insufficient tumor morphological evidence. As epigenetic alterations precede morphological changes, expression alterations of certain imprinted genes could serve as actionable diagnostic biomarkers for malignant lung lesions. Results: Using the previously established quantitative chromogenic imprinted gene in situ hybridization (QCIGISH) method, elevated aberrant allelic expression of imprinted genes GNAS, GRB10, SNRPN and HM13 was observed in lung cancers over benign lesions and normal controls, which were pathologically confirmed among histologically stained normal, paracancerous and malignant tissue sections. Based on the differential imprinting signatures, a diagnostic grading model was built on 246 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) surgically resected lung tissue specimens, tested against 30 lung cytology and small biopsy specimens, and blindly validated in an independent cohort of 155 patients. The QCIGISH diagnostic model demonstrated 99.1% sensitivity (95% CI 97.5–100.0%) and 92.1% specificity (95% CI 83.5–100.0%) in the blinded validation set. Of particular importance, QCIGISH achieved 97.1% sensitivity (95% CI 91.6–100.0%) for carcinoma in situ to stage IB cancers with 100% sensitivity and 91.7% specificity (95% CI 76.0–100.0%) noted for pulmonary nodules with diameters ≤ 2 cm. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated the diagnostic value of epigenetic imprinting alterations as highly accurate translational biomarkers for a more definitive diagnosis of suspicious lung lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wood frame structured carbons with integrated sieving layer enable competitive dynamic separation performance of C 3 H 6 /C 3 H 8 because of the combination of advantages of efficient mass transfer capability, high adsorption capacity as well as fine molecular sieving property. [Display omitted] • In-situ method to grow a seamless precursor layer in wood cell walls. • Impart seamless molecular sieving function layer in the wood-structured carbons. • Evident molecular sieving property for C 3 H 6 /C 3 H 8 separation. • Abundant regular macropores channels for fast mass transfer. • Highly scalable and self-supportive structured adsorbents. Adsorption separation of propylene/propane is of great importance in producing the key feedstock of propylene. The core challenge lies in the design of high-performance adsorbent materials capable of high adsorption uptake and selectivity. Here we report a proof-of-concept adsorbent of wood frame structured carbons with an integrated sieving layer, which is prepared on the basis of natural woods by imparting functional polymer layers in the wood cells. The polymer layers in the wood frame penetrate into the wood walls and transform into integrated sieving layer in the resultant carbon honeycombs, rather than block the wood channels. The effective sieving layer as well as the ordered free transport channels enable this type of material to display excellent propylene/propane separation performance, showing a high propylene adsorption uptake of 1.72 mmol g−1, and an ideal adsorbed solution theory and dynamic selectivity up to 3.8 × 104 and 139 at 298 K and 1 bar, respectively. This work provides a unique idea for designing structured carbon adsorbents with selective sieving layer, which may apply to other molecular recognition, separation, and purification processes beyond propylene/propane separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resilience has a critical role to promote human well-being in turbulent environments. However, extensive interventions and stimulus measures not only achieve resilience goals with numerous unacceptable consequences, but also highlight the narrow definition of resilience. The study proposes the concept of resilience effectiveness to constrain the unsustainability of resilience in concept and practice. The resilience effectiveness of Chinese cities in the early stages of the pandemic is first implemented for evaluation based on input-output relationship, and then patterns and determinants are investigated using the GIS methods and the geographically optimal zones-based heterogeneity (GOZH) model. The study finds that the average resilience effectiveness is not high, indicating that China's strong resilience is the loss of safety, greenness, inclusiveness, and efficiency in the early stage of the pandemic. Resilience effectiveness has significant spatial heterogeneity and is dominated by innovation ability. The optimal geographic zones of Chinese cities for resilience effectiveness are identified, revealing that it is a complex and multifactorial process. This paper broadens resilience research and provides implications for city planning in the post-pandemic era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human serum albumin is widely used in clinical practice, and the development of new ligands with high affinity is beneficial to improve its separation efficiency. The Site II of human serum albumin is an active binding site of various molecules such as l‐tryptophan, which was studied with molecular simulation to obtain insights for the design of new ligands. The results showed that the carboxyl and indolyl groups of l‐tryptophan were critical for the binding on Site II. Seven ligands containing carboxyl groups and indolyl groups were designed, and molecular simulation showed that indole‐3‐pentanoic acid was the best ligand. A new ligand combined indole‐3‐acetic acid and cysteine was designed for easier resin preparation, and molecular simulation also indicated that the new ligand bound strongly to Site II. Resins with the new ligand designed was prepared and static adsorption experiments indicated that the new resin had high adsorption capacity of human serum albumin and strong salt tolerance. Finally, recombinant human serum albumin was separated from yeast broth with high purity of 90.4% and recovery of 94.2%, which indicated that the new resin had good adsorption selectivity and strong potential for applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. A deficiency in steroid 5α-reductase type 2 is an autosomal recessive disorder. Affected individuals manifested ambiguous genitalia, which is caused by decreased dihydrotestosterone (DHT) synthesis in the fetus. Methods. We analyzed 25 patients with 5α-reductase deficiency in China. Seventeen of the 25 patients (68%) were initially raised as females. Sixteen patients changed their social gender from female to male after puberty. Results. Eighteen mutations were identified in these patients. p.Gly203Ser and p.Gln6 ∗ were found to be the most prevalent mutations. On the basis of the genotype of these patients, we divided them into different groups. There was no significant difference in hormone levels and external masculinization score (EMS) in patients with or without these prevalent mutations. Twelve common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near the p.Gln6 ∗ mutation were chosen for haplotype analysis. Three haplotypes were observed in 6 patients who had the p.Gln6 ∗ mutation (12 alleles). Conclusion. We analyzed mutations of the SRD5A2 gene in Chinese patients with 5α-reductase deficiency. Although hotspot mutations exist, no founder effect of prevalent mutations in the SRD5A2 gene was detected in the Chinese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Epigenetic alterations are involved in most cancers, but its application in cancer diagnosis is still limited. More practical and intuitive methods to detect the aberrant expressions from clinical samples using highly sensitive biomarkers are needed. In this study, we developed a novel approach in identifying, visualizing, and quantifying the biallelic and multiallelic expressions of an imprinted gene panel associated with cancer status. We evaluated the normal and aberrant expressions measured using the imprinted gene panel to formulate diagnostic models which could accurately distinguish the imprinting differences of normal and benign cases from cancerous tissues for each of the ten cancer types. Results: The Quantitative Chromogenic Imprinted Gene In Situ Hybridization (QCIGISH) method developed from a 1013-case study which provides a visual and quantitative analysis of non-coding RNA allelic expressions identified the guanine nucleotide-binding protein, alpha-stimulating complex locus (GNAS), growth factor receptor-bound protein (GRB10), and small nuclear ribonucleoprotein polypeptide N (SNRPN) out of five tested imprinted genes as efficient epigenetic biomarkers for the early-stage detection of ten cancer types. A binary algorithm developed for cancer diagnosis showed that elevated biallelic expression (BAE), multiallelic expression (MAE), and total expression (TE) measurements for the imprinted gene panel were associated with cell carcinogenesis, with the formulated diagnostic models achieving consistently high sensitivities (91–98%) and specificities (86–98%) across the different cancer types. Conclusions: The QCIGISH method provides an innovative way to visually assess and quantitatively analyze individual cells for cancer potential extending from hyperplasia and dysplasia until carcinoma in situ and invasion, which effectively supplements standard clinical cytologic and histopathologic diagnosis for early cancer detection. In addition, the diagnostic models developed from the BAE, MAE, and TE measurements of the imprinted gene panel GNAS, GRB10, and SNRPN could provide important predictive information which are useful in early-stage cancer detection and personalized cancer management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper extends the comparative literature on divorce by theorizing how international institutions and norms influence societal divorce rates. Drawing on developmental idealism and world society theory, the paper argues that global institutions legitimize cultural principles such as individualism, human rights, and gender equality, which reshape "modern" understandings of marriage and family relations. Formal international institutions and treaties do not explicitly proclaim or codify the right to divorce, but we suggest that new norms regarding divorce emerge from the "penumbras" of world culture and diffuse globally. Panel regression models covering 84 countries between 1970 and 2008 find a strong association between global cultural influence and divorce rates, controlling for other factors. Results highlight the effects of world society on the private lives of individuals, and suggest that world society affects a wider set of outcomes than the conventional literature would predict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staphylococcus aureus is known for its resistance to antibiotic treatment as well as the ability to form biofilms. Biofilm formation has been seen in S. aureus infections, yet, the mechanism of biofilm formation is not completely understood. Many molecules, such as DNA and polysaccharides, have been identified in the biofilm microenvironment, but little is known about the enzymes involved in the process. In this paper, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was investigated in S. aureus grown either in biofilm or suspension cultures, achieved using DNase I. A significant increase of ALP activity was observed in S. aureus biofilm culture compared to its suspension counterpart. Treatment of sodium orthovanadate, an ALP inhibitor, significantly decreased biofilm formation. Its inhibition was on par with DNase I treatment at specific doses. Thus, ALP may play an important role in the biofilm formation. Likewise, ALP inhibition may be a novel target for anti-biofilm therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the miniaturisation of the terahertz detector with on-chip antenna, the slotted patch antennas in different shape are studied. Through analysing and comparing of the antennas in rectangle, circular and diamond shape, with and without slot, the double arc slots and diagonal slots are proposed for the circular patch antenna and the diamond patch antenna, respectively, which can increase the current path to reduce the size of the patch antenna effectively. The optimised radius of the circular patch antenna is 130 μm and the diagonal of the diamond patch antenna is 207.2 μm, whose size is reduced about 12 and 40%, respectively. Fabricated in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) 0.18 μm standard complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process, the N Metal Oxide Semiconductor (NMOS) detector with proposed antenna has the response frequency ranging from 270 to 320 GHz. For the detector 1 with circular antenna and detector 2 with diamond antenna, the maximum response voltage is 419 and 110 μV at the frequency of 290 and 280 GHz, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Clinical Message: Hypothyroidism was a rare cause of rhabdomyolysis, which finally progressed to acute kidney injury (AKI). We compared nine patients with AKI secondary to hypothyroidism and six patients with severe hypothyroidism. Besides creatine kinase, globulin could be an alternative biomarker of rhabdomyolysis related to hypothyroidism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Aromatase deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder that is caused by an impairment of androgen conversion to estrogens. Affected 46, XX individuals generally present with virilization of external genitalia at birth and mutations in CYP19A1 g ene. Objective This study described the clinical features and molecular basis of a Chinese 46, XX girl born with ambiguous genitalia and investigated the functional alteration of two novel mutations of the CYP19A1 gene. Methods and results Obvious prepartum virilization and remarkably elevated testosterone were observed in the mother, who was initially suspected to have a testosterone-producing ovarian tumor. Clinical phenotypes and hormone profiles of the patient and her mother were investigated. Genotyping analyses of the CYP19A1 gene were performed in the patient and her parents. Functional impairment of the mutations was explored using three-dimensional computer model and mutagenesises in vitro transfection assays. A compound heterozygous mutation of the CYP19A1 gene was revealed in the patient, with a G deletion in nucleotide 264 of exon 3 in one allele and a 23-bp insertion in exon 9 in another allele; both mutations resulted in reading frame-shifts that led to truncated proteins of 87 and 360 amino acids, respectively. Molecular modeling analysis suggested that the two renascent truncated proteins lacked crucial amino acids that were involved in substrate access and catalysis as well as heme-binding region. Functional studies in transfected HEK-293T cells exhibited a nearly complete abolishment of enzyme activity, which may underlie the phenotype and hormone profile. Conclusions Two novel CYP19A1 mutations were identified in a Chinese girl born with ambiguous genitalia and severe maternal virilization during pregnancy. Maternal virilization should prompt consideration of aromatase deficiency, preventing unnecessary interventions in pregnancy. This study broadens the spectrum of phenotype and genetic mutations of this rare disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research suggests that pro-environmental groups in the Global South are strongly influenced by international organizations and monetary forces. However, scholars have not systematically examined the variety of transnational linkages that affect such nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Drawing from the experiences of Taiwan’s environmental NGOs (ENGOs), this paper theorizes four possible types of transnational linkages. Interviews with and archival data on a representative sample of 30 major ENGOs in Taiwan reveal only modest effects of international financial resources and direct connections to international organizational actors. Rather, Taiwan’s ENGOs are mainly influenced by (1) the universalistic knowledge and practices carried by experts and professionals and (2) horizontal organizational learning and modeling facilitated by common organizational identities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • An error-correction model has been developed to predict the microwave spectra efficiently. • Due to the intramolecular effects included, the predicted transition frequencies were well reproduced with the error of 0.017%. • the intermolecular modes of Ar–AgF complex can be well described by an analogous form of Dunham series. An error-correction model has been developed to predict pure rotational spectrum of Ar–AgF complex. Firstly, based on the geometry optimizations, bond length was determined for AgF of free monomer and in Ar–AgF complex, respectively. Then, a scaled bond length for AgF was obtained by introducing the value of free monomer observed experimentally. Subsequently, a two-dimensional intermolecular potential energy surface (PES) was constructed for Ar–AgF complex. Due to the intramolecular effects included and bond length corrected in the PES, this model could well reproduce transition frequencies with an error of 0.017% for the microwave spectrum of Ar–AgF complex. Furthermore, a full-dimensional PES was also constructed for comparison, and results of bound state calculations produced an error of 0.029%, suggesting that the error-correction model is reliable and efficient according to the excellent agreement between theoretical and experimental results from transition frequencies and spectroscopic parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the public image of lawyers often focuses on lawyers’ role as advocates and neglects other representations. Based on the content analysis of 669 media reports of Chinese criminal cases between 1979 and 2009, this article provides a typology of lawyers’ media images: as advocates, as experts and as suspects. Even when lawyers are characterized as defenders of suspects, media depictions of their roles are vacuous and lawyers may be considered unnecessary and dispensable. Furthermore, the characterization of lawyers in the case stories has a binary quality that is contingent upon the media's substantive judgment of case outcomes. With findings from the Chinese case, the article calls for more attention to lawyers’ images in the media, both in China and in comparative research on the legal profession. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: EV71 is one of major etiologic causes of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) and leads to severe neurological complications in young children and infants. Recently inactivated EV71 vaccines have been developed by five manufactures and clinically show good safety and immunogenicity. However, the cross-neutralizing activity of these vaccines remains unclear, and is of particular interest because RNA recombination is seen more frequently in EV71 epidemics. Methodology/Principal Findings: In this post-hoc study, sera from a subset of 119 infants and children in two clinical trials of EV71 subgenotype C4 vaccines (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01313715 and NCT01273246), were detected for neutralizing antibody (NTAb) titres with sera from infected patients as controls. Cytopathogenic effect method was employed to test NTAb against EV71 subgenotype B4, B5, C2, C4 and C5, which were prominent epidemic strains worldwide over the past decade. To validate the accuracy of the results, ELISpot assay was employed in parallel to detect NTAb in all the post-vaccine sera. After two-dose vaccination, 49 out of 53 participants in initially seronegative group and 52 out of 53 participants in initially seropositive group showed less than 4-fold differences in NTAb titers against five EV71 strains, whereas corresponding values among sera from pediatric patients recovering from EV71-induced HFMD and subclinically infected participants were 8/8 and 41/43, respectively. The geometric mean titers of participants against five subgenotypes EV71 all grew significantly after vaccinations, irrespective of the baseline NTAb titer. The relative fold increase in antibody titers (NTAb-FI) against B4, B5, C2, and C5 displayed a positive correlation to the NTAb-FI against C4. Conclusions/Significance: The results demonstrated broad cross-neutralizing activity induced by two C4 EV71 vaccines in healthy Chinese infants and children. However, the degree of induced cross-protective immunity, and the potential escape evolution for EV71 still need to be monitored and researched in future for these new vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) is one of the most powerful methods for production of recombinant proteins for research or commercial purposes. Titration of viable virus in insect cell culture is often required when BEVS is used for basic research or bioprocessing. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISPOT) assay using monoclonal antibodies against the major capsid protein VP39 of both Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV) and Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV) was developed for baculovirus quantitation at 48h post-infection. The titer was determined by visualizing infected insect cells as blue spots and automated spot counting was achieved with ELISPOT hardware and software. Log-scale comparison of the results between the ELISPOT assay and a conventional end point dilution assay using a fluorescent marker showed a good correlation for both AcMNPV (R 2 =0.9980, p <0.05) and BmNPV (R 2 =0.9834, p <0.05). In conclusion, a novel, rapid and semi-automated procedure for titrating baculovirus was developed based on the specific immunostaining of infected cells followed by automated spot counting. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Calcium-activated chloride channels (CaCCs) are major regulators of sensory transduction, epithelial secretion, and smooth muscle contraction. Other crucial roles of CaCCs include action potential generation in Characean algae and prevention of polyspermia in frog egg membrane. None of the known molecular candidates share properties characteristic of most CaCCs in native cells. Using Axolotl oocytes as an expression system, we have identified TMEM16A as the Xenopus oocyte CaCC. The TMEM16 family of “transmembrane proteins with unknown function” is conserved among eukaryotes, with family members linked to tracheomalacia (mouse TMEM16A), gnathodiaphyseal dysplasia (human TMEM16E), aberrant X segregation (a Drosophila TMEM16 family member), and increased sodium tolerance (yeast TMEM16). Moreover, mouse TMEM16A and TMEM16B yield CaCCs in Axolotl oocytes and mammalian HEK293 cells and recapitulate the broad CaCC expression. The identification of this new family of ion channels may help the development of CaCC modulators for treating diseases including hypertension and cystic fibrosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract  This is a summary report of the workshop entitled “Dissolution Testing for the Twenty-first Century: Linking Critical Quality Attributes and Critical Process Parameters to Clinically Relevant Dissolution,” organized by the In Vitro Release and Dissolution Testing Focus Group of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists. Participants from the pharmaceutical industry, regulatory authorities, and academia in the US, Europe, and Japan attended this workshop to review, discuss, and explore the role of traditional dissolution testing in the new arena of Quality by Design (QbD) and Process Analytical Technology (PAT). Other areas of discussion were the use of the dissolution test to evaluate drug release from novel dosage forms, challenges in dissolution testing and specification setting, and dissolution apparatus calibration using performance verification tablets versus mechanical calibration. The workshop identified areas where further research and collaboration are needed to advance knowledge and understanding of the science of dissolution. Views expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the FDA and USP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current progression in tissue engineering and local gene delivery systems has enhanced applications for cartilage tissue engineering. In this study, porous chitosan/collagen scaffolds were prepared through a freeze-drying process and loaded with plasmid encoding human transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Human bone marrow stem cells were seeded in this scaffold, and gene transfection was traced by enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). The expression of type II collagen and aggrecan was detected with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and cell proliferation was measured every day for six days using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide assay. The pore diameter of the gene-combined scaffolds was lower than that of the pure chitosan/collagen scaffold. The scaffold containing TGF-β1 plasmid exhibited the highest proliferation rate, and the expression of type II collagen and aggrecan was upregulated in the pEGFP-TGFβ1 scaffold. The potential for chitosan/collagen scaffold combined with pEGFP-TGF-β1 as a substrate candidate in cartilage tissue engineering has been investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brain hemorrhage is a serious complication of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) therapy for ischemic stroke. Here we report that activated protein C (APC), a plasma serine protease with systemic anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic activities, and direct vasculoprotective and neuroprotective activities, blocks tPA-mediated brain hemorrhage after transient brain ischemia and embolic stroke in rodents. We show that APC inhibits a pro-hemorrhagic tPA-induced, NF-κB–dependent matrix metalloproteinase-9 pathway in ischemic brain endothelium in vivo and in vitro by acting through protease-activated receptor 1. The present findings suggest that APC may improve thrombolytic therapy for stroke, in part, by reducing tPA-mediated hemorrhage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although thrombolytic effects of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) are beneficial, its neurotoxicity is problematic. Here, we report that tPA potentiates apoptosis in ischemic human brain endothelium and in mouse cortical neurons treated with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) by shifting the apoptotic pathways from caspase-9 to caspase-8, which directly activates caspase-3 without amplification through the Bid-mediated mitochondrial pathway. In vivo, tPA-induced cerebral ischemic injury in mice was reduced by intracerebroventricular administration of caspase-8 inhibitor, but not by caspase-9 inhibitor, in contrast to controls in which caspase-9 inhibitor, but not caspase-8 inhibitor, was protective. Activated protein C (APC), a serine protease with anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic activities, which is neuroprotective during transient ischemia and promotes activation of antiapoptotic mechanisms in brain cells by acting directly on endothelium and neurons, blocked tPA vascular and neuronal toxicities in vitro and in vivo. APC inhibited tPA-induced caspase-8 activation of caspase-3 in endothelium and caspase-3-dependent nuclear translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor in NMDA-treated neurons and reduced tPA-mediated cerebral ischemic injury in mice. Data suggest that tPA shifts the apoptotic signal in stressed brain cells from the intrinsic to the extrinsic pathway which requires caspase-8. APC blocks tPA's neurovascular toxicity and may add substantially to the effectiveness of tPA therapy for stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In developing hippocampal neurons in culture, the evolutionarily conserved polarity complex mPar3/mPar6/aPKC selectively accumulates at the tip of one, and only one, of the immature neurites of a neuron and thus specifies the axon and generates neuronal polarity . How mPar3/mPar6 is enriched at the tip of the nascent axon, but not the dendrites, is not fully understood. Here, we report that mPar3 forms a complex with adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and kinesin superfamily (KIF) 3A, proteins that move along microtubules. In polarizing hippocampal neurons, APC selectively accumulates at the nascent axon tip and colocalizes with mPar3. Expression of dominant-negative C terminus deletion mutants of APC or ectopic expression of APC leads to dislocalization of mPar3 and defects in axon specification and neuronal polarity. In addition to spatial polarization of APC, the selective inactivation of the GSK-3β activity at the nascent axon tip is required for mPar3 targeting and polarization and establishing neuronal polarity. These results suggest that mPar3 is polarized in developing neurons through APC- and kinesin-mediated transport to the plus ends of rapidly growing microtubules at the nascent axon tip, a process that involves a spatially regulated GSK-3β activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Activated protein C (APC) is a systemic anti-coagulant and anti-inflammatory factor. It reduces organ damage in animal models of sepsis, ischemic injury and stroke and substantially reduces mortality in patients with severe sepsis. It was not known whether APC acts as a direct cell survival factor or whether its neuroprotective effect is secondary to its anti-coagulant and anti-inflammatory effects. We report that APC directly prevents apoptosis in hypoxic human brain endothelium through transcriptionally dependent inhibition of tumor suppressor protein p53, normalization of the pro-apoptotic Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and reduction of caspase-3 signaling. These mechanisms are distinct from those involving upregulation of the genes encoding the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 homolog A1 and inhibitor of apoptosis protein-1 (IAP-1) by APC in umbilical vein endothelial cells. Cytoprotection of brain endothelium by APC in vitro required endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) and protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1), as did its in vivo neuroprotective activity in a stroke model of mice with a severe deficiency of EPCR. This is consistent with work showing the direct effects of APC on cultured cells via EPCR and PAR-1 (ref. 9). Moreover, the in vivo neuroprotective effects of low-dose mouse APC seemed to be independent of its anti-coagulant activity. Thus, APC protects the brain from ischemic injury by acting directly on brain cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consensus mechanism is the core of the blockchain system, which plays an important role in the performance and security of the blockchain system. The Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT) algorithm is a widely used consensus algorithm, but the PBFT algorithm also suffers from high consensus latency, low throughput and performance. In this paper, we propose a grouped PBFT consensus algorithm (GPBFT) based on feature trust. First, the algorithm evaluates the trust degree of nodes in the transaction process through the EigenTrust trust model, and uses the trust degree of nodes as the basis for electing master nodes and proxy nodes. Then, the algorithm divides the nodes in the blockchain system into multiple groups, and the consensus within each independent group does not affect the other groups, which greatly reduces the communication overhead of the consensus process when the number of nodes in the system is large. Finally, we demonstrate through theoretical and experimental analysis that the GPBFT algorithm has a significant improvement in security and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oxycodone hydrochloride (OxyContin) rectal administration in cancer pain patients. This is geared towards providing the research evidence for a novel route of OxyContin administration. Methods: Relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched in electronic databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP database), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM). Moreover, unpublished academic data were obtained by contacting the colleague, professor, or Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The RCTs of transrectal Oxycodone administration of sustained-release tablets for moderate and severe pain patients were searched in the databases from inception to December 2020. Results: According to the inclusion criteria, a total of 8 RCTs were included, with a total of 648 patients. Meta analysis results showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the efficacy of moderate to severe pain control between the rectal administration group and the oral administration group (RR = 1.04, 95%CI: 0.99–1.10, p = 0.13>0.05). At the same time, the incidence of adverse reactions in the rectal administration group was low. In terms of constipation, the rectal administration group was less than the oral administration group, with a statistically significant difference (RR = 0.43, 95%CI: 0.31–0.58, p< 0.00001). In terms of nausea and vomiting, the rectal administration group was less than the oral administration group, and the difference was statistically significant(RR = 0.30, 95%CI: 0.21–0.42, p<0.00001). In terms of sleepiness, there was no significant difference between the two groups(RR = 0.54, 95%CI: 0.26–1.15, p = 0.11>0.05). In terms of dizziness, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (RR = 0.43, 95%CI:0.27–0.68, p = 0.31>0.05). In terms of dyuria, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (RR = 0.37, 95%CI: 0.02–7.02, p = 0.51>0.05). In terms of KPS scores there was no significant difference was noted between the rectal and oral administration groups (RR = 1.04, 95%CI: 0.89–1.21, p = 0.63>0.05). Conclusion: In summary, we found no significant differences in efficacy between rectal administration of OxyContin and oral administration. Thus, rectal administration should be considered in managing cancer pain among patients with difficulty in oral OxyContin administration. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021209660. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection causes varicella, which remains a prominent public health concern in children. Current varicella vaccines adopt the live-attenuated Oka strain, vOka, which retains the ability to infect neurons, establish latency and reactivate, leading to vaccine-associated zoster in some vaccinees. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a safer next-generation varicella vaccine to help reduce vaccine hesitancy. This paper reviews the discovery and identification of the skin- and neuro-tropic factor, the open reading frame 7 (ORF7) of VZV, as well as the development of a skin- and neuro-attenuated live varicella vaccine comprising an ORF7-deficient mutant, v7D. This work could provide insights into the research of novel virus vaccines based on functional genomics and reverse genetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indoxyl sulfate (IS), a uremic toxin, causes chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression via its tubulotoxicity. After cellular uptake, IS directly induces apoptotic and necrotic cell death of tubular cells. Additionally, IS increases oxidative stress and decreases antioxidant capacity, which are associated with tubulointerstitial injury. Injured tubular cells are a major source of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), which induces myofibroblast transition from residual renal cells in damaged kidney, recruits inflammatory cells and thereby promotes extracellular matrix deposition in renal fibrosis. Moreover, IS upregulates signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 phosphorylation, followed by increases in TGF-β1, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and α-smooth muscle actin production, which participate in interstitial inflammation, renal fibrosis and, consequently, CKD progression. Clinically, higher serum IS levels are independently associated with renal function decline and predict all-cause mortality in CKD. The poor removal of serum IS in conventional hemodialysis is also significantly associated with all-cause mortality and heart failure incidence in end-stage renal disease patients. Scavenging the IS precursor by AST-120 can markedly reduce tubular IS staining that attenuates renal tubular injury, ameliorates IS-induced oxidative stress and rescues antioxidant glutathione activity in tubular epithelial cells, thereby providing a protective role against tubular injury and ultimately retarding renal function decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a continuous need to improve the computational efficiency of the Unit Commitment (UC) in the power system and electricity market operations. Studies show that most of the transmission constraints are inactive in the UC. If the inactive constraints can be identified and curtailed from the model, the computational time can be significantly reduced. A redundant and nonbinding transmission constraints identification method combining the economic and physical insights of the UC is proposed in this paper. The economic insights are reflected in the cost-based schedule without transmission constraints, which is solved as the base result. The output and power flow transfer caused by congestion management, which shows the physical insight, are simulated based on the cost-based schedule to identify the inactive constraints. The inactive constraints can be efficiently identified by solving the problem without transmission constraints once instead of using several iterations. A case study shows that the proposed method can identify many inactive constraints that cannot be identified by the CPLEX presolving process, which can significantly improve the computational efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Seed size and weight are important factors that influence soybean yield.Combining the weighted gene co‐expression network analysis (WGCNA) of 45 soybean accessions and gene dynamic changes in seeds at seven developmental stages, we identified candidate genes that may control the seed size/weight. Among these, a PLATZ‐type regulator overlapping with 10 seed weight QTLs was further investigated. This zinc‐finger transcriptional regulator, named as GmPLATZ, is required for the promotion of seed size and weight in soybean.The GmPLATZ may exert its functions through direct binding to the promoters and activation of the expression of cyclin genes and GmGA20OX for cell proliferation. Overexpression of the GmGA20OX enhanced seed size/weight in soybean. We further found that the GmPLATZ binds to a 32‐bp sequence containing a core palindromic element AATGCGCATT. Spacing of the flanking sequences beyond the core element facilitated GmPLATZ binding. An elite haplotype Hap3 was also identified to have higher promoter activity and correlated with higher gene expression and higher seed weight. Orthologues of the GmPLATZ from rice and Arabidopsis play similar roles in seeds.Our study reveals a novel module of GmPLATZ‐GmGA20OX/cyclins in regulating seed size and weight and provides valuable targets for breeding of crops with desirable agronomic traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing evidence that pillaring up a densely packed ultramicroporous two‐dimensional (2D) structure is an effective strategy to reduce their internal diffusion. Reliable pillaring paradigms, however, is rather challenging. Here we report a one‐pot multi‐component sequential assembly method for the preparation of a new self‐pillared 2D polymer and ultramicroporous carbon with integrated surface protrusions. The molecular level pillaring process is surprisingly fast, that is, in 10 min. The thickness of nanoplate edge and the density (roughness), angle as well as height of protrusions can be precisely tuned. Exemplified in coal bed methane purification/separation, this unique pillared 2D carbons exhibit a CH4/N2 selectivity up to 24 at a low CH4 partial pressure and two orders of magnitude faster CH4 diffusion kinetics than the commercial carbon molecular sieves. This solution synthesis methodology is generalizable for creation and fine tuning of pillared 2D heterostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing evidence that pillaring up a densely packed ultramicroporous two‐dimensional (2D) structure is an effective strategy to reduce their internal diffusion. Reliable pillaring paradigms, however, is rather challenging. Here we report a one‐pot multi‐component sequential assembly method for the preparation of a new self‐pillared 2D polymer and ultramicroporous carbon with integrated surface protrusions. The molecular level pillaring process is surprisingly fast, that is, in 10 min. The thickness of nanoplate edge and the density (roughness), angle as well as height of protrusions can be precisely tuned. Exemplified in coal bed methane purification/separation, this unique pillared 2D carbons exhibit a CH4/N2 selectivity up to 24 at a low CH4 partial pressure and two orders of magnitude faster CH4 diffusion kinetics than the commercial carbon molecular sieves. This solution synthesis methodology is generalizable for creation and fine tuning of pillared 2D heterostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Varicella zoster virus (VZV), which is a human restricted alpha-herpesvirus, causes varicella (chickenpox) and zoster (shingles). The subsequent post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) due to VZV infection is excruciating for most patients. Thus, developing specific therapeutics against VZV infection is imperative. RNA interference (RNAi) represents an effective approach for alternative antiviral therapy. This study aimed to develop a novel anti-VZV therapeutics based on RNAi. Results: In this study, we screened and found the open reading frame 7 (ORF7) of the VZV genome was an ideal antiviral target based on RNAi. Therefore, a novel siRNA targeting ORF7 (si-ORF7) was designed to explore the potential of RNAi antiviral treatment strategy toward VZV. We used a bio-engineering approach to manufacture recombinant siRNA agents with high yield in E. coli. Then, the efficacy of recombinant ORF7-siRNA (r/si-ORF7) in inhibiting VZV infection both in cellular level and 3D human epidermal skin model was evaluated. The r/si-ORF7 was proved to inhibit the VZV replication and reduce the virus copy numbers significantly in vitro. Furthermore, flexible nano-liposomes were established to deliver r/si-ORF7 to 3D human epidermal skin model and found r/si-ORF7 also could inhibit the VZV infection, thus maintaining normal skin morphology. Conclusions: Taken together, our results highlighted that transdermal administration of antiviral r/si-ORF7 was a promising therapeutic strategy for functional cure of VZV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Excess pruning of dendritic spines in a minimal hepatic encephalopathy mouse model. • Spine over-pruning in vivo is accompanied with impaired motor learning. • Elevated corticosterone is associated with spine over-pruning and motor deficits. • Concurrent de-population and activation of microglia mediated by corticosterone surge. Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is characterized as cognitive deficits including memory and learning dysfunctions after liver injuries or hepatic diseases. Our understandings of neurological mechanisms of MHE-associated cognitive syndromes, however, are far from complete. In the current study we generated a mouse MHE model by repetitive administrations of thioacetamide (TAA), which induced hyperammonemia plus elevated proinflammatory cytokines in both the general circulation and motor cortex. MHE mice presented prominent motor learning deficits, which were associated with excess dendritic spine pruning in the motor cortex under 2-photon in vivo microscopy. The pharmaceutical blockade of glucocorticoid receptor or suppression of its biosynthesis further rescued motor learning deficits and synaptic protein loss. Moreover, MHE mice presented microglial activation, which can be alleviated after glucocorticoid pathway inhibition. In sum, our data demonstrates corticosterone-induced microglial activation, synaptic over-pruning and motor learning impairments in MHE, providing new insights for MHE pathogenesis and potential targets of clinical interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly pathogenic coronavirus (CoV) infection induces a defective innate antiviral immune response coupled with the dysregulated release of proinflammatory cytokines and finally results in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). A timely and appropriate triggering of innate antiviral response is crucial to inhibit viral replication and prevent ARDS. However, current medical countermeasures can rarely meet this urgent demand. Here, an antiviral nanobiologic named CoVR‐MV is developed, which is polymerized of CoVs receptors based on a biomimetic membrane vesicle system. The designed CoVR‐MV interferes with the viral infection by absorbing the viruses with maximized viral spike target interface, and mediates the clearance of the virus through its inherent interaction with macrophages. Furthermore, CoVR‐MV coupled with the virus promotes a swift production and signaling of endogenous type I interferon via deregulating 7‐dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR7) inhibition of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) activation in macrophages. These sequential processes re‐modulate the innate immune responses to the virus, trigger spontaneous innate antiviral defenses, and rescue infected Syrian hamsters from ARDS caused by SARS‐CoV‐2 and all tested variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) are important for developing a dual‐humanized mouse model to clarify disease pathogenesis. We aimed to elucidate the characteristics of hBMSC transdifferentiation into liver and immune cells. Methods: A single type of hBMSCs was transplanted into immunodeficient Fah−/− Rag2−/− IL‐2Rγc−/− SCID (FRGS) mice with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). Liver transcriptional data from the hBMSC‐transplanted mice were analysed to identify transdifferentiation with traces of liver and immune chimerism. Results: Mice with FHF were rescued by implanted hBMSCs. Human albumin/leukocyte antigen (HLA) and CD45/HLA double‐positive hepatocytes and immune cells were observed in the rescued mice during the initial 3 days. The transcriptomics analysis of liver tissues from dual‐humanized mice identified two transdifferentiation phases (cellular proliferation at 1–5 days and cellular differentiation/maturation at 5–14 days) and ten cell lineages transdifferentiated from hBMSCs: human hepatocytes, cholangiocytes, stellate cells, myofibroblasts, endothelial cells and immune cells (T/B/NK/NKT/Kupffer cells). Two biological processes, hepatic metabolism and liver regeneration, were characterized in the first phase, and two additional biological processes, immune cell growth and extracellular matrix (ECM) regulation, were observed in the second phase. Immunohistochemistry verified that the ten hBMSC‐derived liver and immune cells were present in the livers of dual‐humanized mice. Conclusions: A syngeneic liver‐immune dual‐humanized mouse model was developed by transplanting a single type of hBMSC. Four biological processes linked to the transdifferentiation and biological functions of ten human liver and immune cell lineages were identified, which may help to elucidate the molecular basis of this dual‐humanized mouse model for further clarifying disease pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgeries under general anesthesia usually require nasotracheal intubation. When presented with patients with equally patent nostrils, selection of the nostril to use for intubation is an important decision for facilitating intubation. The objective of this trial is to determine whether choice of nostril impacts nasotracheal intubation when using a video rigid stylet in patients undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery. Methods: Fifty patients scheduled for elective oral and maxillofacial surgery requiring nasotracheal intubation were randomly allocated into two groups to undergo nasotracheal intubation through the left nostril (Group L, n = 25) or the right nostril (Group R, n = 25). Intubation was performed by experienced anesthesiologists using a video rigid stylet. The primary endpoint was time to successful intubation, which was defined as the duration from when the tip of the stylet-tube assembly entered the selected nostril to when the tube entered the trachea. Secondary outcomes included: length of time for device insertion; length of time for tube insertion; total success rate; first-attempt success rate; number of intubation attempts; requirement of airway assisted maneuvers; incidence and severity of epistaxis. Intubation-related adverse events were monitored for up to postoperative 24 h. Results: Median time (interquartile range) to tracheal intubation was 25.3 seconds (20.7 to 27.6) in Group L and 26.8 seconds (22.5 to 30.0) in Group R (median difference (MD) = 1.9; 95% confidence interval (CI) –1.8 to 5.7, P = 0.248). Nasotracheal intubation was successful in all patients in both groups and the first-attempt success rates in both groups were similar (Group L: 96% (24/25); Group R: 96% (24/25); relative risk (RR) 1.0; 95% CI 0.9 to 1.1; P > 0.999). No significant difference of requirement of assisted maneuvers was noted between the two groups (Group L: 36% (9/25); Group R: 28% (7/25); RR 0.8; 95% CI 0.3–1.8; P = 0.544). Furthermore, all patients showed a high quality of visualization of the glottis (Cormack and Lehane Grade I). For safety outcomes, the incidence and severity of epistaxis during intubation was comparable between the two groups. There were no significant differences between the selection of nostrils and intubation-related adverse events up to 24 h after surgery. Conclusions: When considering which nostril to use for intubation with video rigid stylet, either nostril can be used similarly. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov. Identifier: NCT05218590. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultivated soybeans may lose some useful genetic loci during domestication. Introgression of genes from wild soybeans could broaden the genetic background and improve soybean agronomic traits. In this study, through whole-genome sequencing of a recombinant inbred line population derived from a cross between a wild soybean ZYD7 and a cultivated soybean HN44, and mapping of quantitative trait loci for seed weight, we discovered that a phosphatase 2C-1 (PP2C-1) allele from wild soybean ZYD7 contributes to the increase in seed weight/size. PP2C-1 may achieve this function by enhancing cell size of integument and activating a subset of seed trait-related genes. We found that PP2C-1 is associated with GmBZR1, a soybean ortholog of Arabidopsis BZR1, one of key transcription factors in brassinosteroid (BR) signaling, and facilitate accumulation of dephosphorylated GmBZR1. In contrast, the PP2C-2 allele with variations of a few amino acids at the N-terminus did not exhibit this function. Moreover, we showed that GmBZR1 could promote seed weight/size in transgenic plants. Through analysis of cultivated soybean accessions, we found that 40% of the examined accessions do not have the PP2C-1 allele, suggesting that these accessions can be improved by introduction of this allele. Taken together, our study identifies an elite allele PP2C-1, which can enhance seed weight and/or size in soybean, and pinpoints that manipulation of this allele by molecular-assisted breeding may increase production in soybean and other legumes/crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the role of soybean miR172a genes in the improvement of salt tolerance by functioning as signal through degradation of the Transcription Suppressor Gene SSAC1.

Physical exercise is effective in alleviating mental disorders by improving synaptic transmission; however, the link between body endurance training and neural adaptation has not yet been completely resolved. In this study, the authors investigated the role of RNA N6‐methyladenosine (m6A), an emerging epigenetic mechanism, in improved resilience against chronic restraint stress. A combination of molecular, behavioral, and in vivo recording data demonstrates exercise‐mediated restoration of m6A in the mouse medial prefrontal cortex, whose activity is potentiated to exert anxiolytic effects. Furthermore, it is revealed that hepatic biosynthesis of one methyl donor is necessary for exercise to improve brain RNA m6A to counteract environmental stress. This novel liver‐brain axis provides an explanation for brain network changes upon exercise training and provides new insights into the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The desorption of heavy oil is one of the important indicators affecting the development efficiency of the remaining oil in nanopores. However, the study of the adsorption and diffusion mechanisms of heavy oil molecules in nanopores remains scarce. In this work, the influences of temperature on the adsorption and diffusion properties of the heavy oil four-fractions in quartz nanopore have been investigated via molecular dynamics simulations. Our results show that the heavy oil molecules will form a denser multilayer adsorption oil layer on the nanopore surface, and high temperature can alter the adsorption behaviors of the heavy oil four-fractions. As the temperature increases, the saturate molecules are desorbed from the nanopore surfaces, but the aromatic, resin, and asphaltene molecules maintain a tendency to aggregate towards the nanopore surface. In particular, the agglomeration behaviors of most saturate, aromatic and asphaltene molecules in nanopore can be suppressed by the confined space compared with the heavy oil molecules in oil droplet. In addition, the influence of temperature on the movement of heavy oil molecules in nanopore decreases compared with the oil molecules in a heavy oil droplet due to the confined space and adsorption effect. Interestingly, there is a competition phenomenon between the adsorption and diffusion of aromatic, resin, and asphaltene molecules in the nanopore, resulting in different adsorption behaviors with the increase in temperature. The results obtained in this paper will provide molecular-level theoretical guidance for understanding the adsorption and desorption mechanisms of heavy oil in nanopores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]