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In this study, we analyzed the environmental factors influencing the restoration process of the degraded ecosystem in the Inner Mongolian steppe, the largest steppe ecosystem in Asia, which is experiencing rapid desertification, and evaluated the effects of restoration on the damaged ecosystem in China. For this purpose, we selected degraded steppe areas left to desertification in the Hulunbuir region, four restored sites where vegetation was artificially introduced for restoration, and reference ecosystems, including a non-desertified area with the dominant Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica community and a meadow steppe area. We conducted analyses and monitoring of plant community characteristics and soil environmental factors to assess the progress of restoration. The results showed that the introduction of indigenous woody plants in the degraded areas led to a proportional increase in vegetation cover, plant biodiversity, and species abundance over time. The primary external forces driving the succession of vegetation in the restored sites were soil factors including organic matter content, temperature and total nitrogen levels, which were associated with an increase in vegetation cover. These results can be interpreted as an increase in vegetation cover leading to an increase in litter production. This in turn reduces soil temperature and evaporation, subsequently enhancing the activity of soil microorganisms. Over time, the species composition, structural diversity of communities, and ecosystem functions in the restored sites gradually became more similar to those of the reference ecosystems. This indicates that vegetation restoration in this area has been very successful. In particular, the positive change in local residents’ awareness regarding the necessity of restoration has been considered a crucial contribution to the success of restoration in the degraded areas. It has led to a decrease in perceived anthropogenic threats to the restored sites. These results indicate that the introduction of native woody plants is crucial and can increase vegetation cover and species composition complexity and local residents’ positive perception of restoration for the successful restoration of desertified drylands.

Focusing on local non-"Double First-Class" higher colleges in China, this study aims to explore the effects of classroom teaching, integration of industry and education, classroom involvement, interdisciplinary awareness and abilities, as well as teacher-student investment, on the increment of professional abilities of industrial design students, and explore effective teaching modes. Organizing questionnaire survey data, constructing a multiple linear regression model, and using the analytical method of sheaf coefficient found that student investment has the most decisive influence on low-order and high-order professional abilities, while other variables have their focuses. Teacher investment only has a direct impact on partial high-order professional capacities. The analysis of interactive effect regression models found that the interactive effects of significant influencing variables only mutually reinforce partial high-order professional abilities. The second-order factor structural equation modeling found that the professional capacities of industrial design have a strong endogeneity. The core mission of teachers is to promote "student-centered" teaching and integration of production and education and encourage students' investment to improve their professional ability. This study provides an empirical basis for optimizing and reconstructing the conceptual framework of low-order and high-order professional capacities in higher education.

Abstract Focusing on local non-“Double First-Class” higher colleges in China, this study aims to explore the effects of classroom teaching, integration of industry and education, classroom involvement, interdisciplinary awareness and abilities, as well as teacher-student investment, on the increment of professional abilities of industrial design students, and explore effective teaching modes. Organizing questionnaire survey data, constructing a multiple linear regression model, and using the analytical method of sheaf coefficient found that student investment has the most decisive influence on low-order and high-order professional abilities, while other variables have their focuses. Teacher investment only has a direct impact on partial high-order professional capacities. The analysis of interactive effect regression models found that the interactive effects of significant influencing variables only mutually reinforce partial high-order professional abilities. The second-order factor structural equation modeling found that the professional capacities of industrial design have a strong endogeneity. The core mission of teachers is to promote “student-centered” teaching and integration of production and education and encourage students’ investment to improve their professional ability. This study provides an empirical basis for optimizing and reconstructing the conceptual framework of low-order and high-order professional capacities in higher education.

The black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens, has the potential to serve as a valuable resource for waste bioconversion due to the ability of the larvae to thrive in a microbial-rich environment. Being an ecological decomposer, the survival of BSF larvae (BSFL) relies on developing an efficient defense system. Cathepsin L (CTSL) is a cysteine protease that plays roles in physiological and pathological processes. In this study, the full-length of CTSL was obtained from BSF. The 1,020-bp open reading frame encoded a preprotein of 339 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 32 kDa. The pro-domain contained the conserved ERFNIN, GNYD, and GCNGG motifs, which are all characteristic of CTSL. Homology revealed that the deduced amino acid sequence of BSF CTSL shared 74.22-72.99% identity with Diptera flies. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis showed the CTSL was predominantly localized in the gut, especially in the midgut. The mRNA expression of CTSL in different larval stages was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR), which revealed that CTSL was expressed in the second to sixth instar, with the highest expression in the fifth instar. Following an immune challenge in vivo using Escherichia coli (E. coli), CTSL mRNA was significantly up-regulated at 6 h post-stimulation. The Z-Phe-Arg-AMC was gradually cleaved by the BSFL extract after 3 h post-stimulation. These results shed light on the potential role of CTSL in the defense mechanism that helps BSFL to survive against pathogens in a microbial-rich environment.

Abstract Vibrio α-hemolysins (αHLs) are β-pore-forming toxins secreted by Vibrio pathogens, crucial for the facilitation of bacterial infections through host cell lysis. These toxins are produced as inactive precursors, requiring proteolytic maturation and membrane association for activation within host tissues. Here, we investigate Vibrio campbellii αHL (VcαHL), and establish that its hemolytic activity is significantly stimulated by calcium ions, with an EC50 that aligns with physiological calcium concentrations. Furthermore, we illustrate the vital contribution of calcium ions to the oligomerization of VcαHL on membranes. Using X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy, we decipher both the immature and assembled structures of VcαHL and elucidate the conformational changes corresponding to toxin assembly. We also identify a calcium-binding module that is integral for VcαHL’s calcium-dependent activation. These findings provide insights into the regulatory mechanisms of VcαHL and have the potential to inform the development of targeted therapeutic strategies against Vibrio infections.

Objectives To assess the risk gradient of chromosomal abnormalities and fetal or neonatal death across a socioeconomic spectrum of pregnant women. Methods We used the data from the Korean Prenatal Diagnosis Study (KPDS), which included singleton pregnancies who were candidates for fetal aneuploidy screening enrolled from the Seoul Capital Area from December 2016 to April 2018. We analyzed chromosomal abnormalities which were diagnosed pre- or postnatally, and fetal or neonatal death. The highest level of education among the women and the average monthly household income were used as proxies for socioeconomic status. Results Among the 6,715 women, the majority of were 30-39 years old and university graduates, with a reported household income higher than the national median. Chromosomal abnormalities occurred in 45 women (6.7 per 1,000). Fetal or neonatal death occurred in 70 (11.3 per 1,000), excluding pregnancies affected by chromosomal abnormality diagnosis. The adjusted odds ratio for chromosomal abnormalities was higher when household income was < 4,484 USD per month. For fetal or neonatal death, the risk estimates for lower education and lower household income were generally positive but remained imprecise. Conclusion We observed some evidence of an inverse association between the risk of fetal chromosomal abnormality and level of household income in a prospective cohort of pregnant women. Interventions to reduce socioeconomic disparities in perinatal health should focus on those with a low household income., Author(s): Seung-Ah Choe [sup.1] , Seung Mi Lee [sup.2] , You Jung Han [sup.3] , Min Hyoung Kim [sup.4] , Jae-Yoon Shim [sup.5] , Mi-Young Lee [sup.6] , Soo-young Oh [...]

Oblique lumbar interbody fusion is a minimally invasive procedure for treating degenerative lumbar disease. Its advantages include correcting coronal and sagittal spinal alignment and indirect neural decompression. However, achieving a successful outcome is limited in some patients who need direct decompression for central canal lesions including hard stenotic lesions (endplate or facet articular osteophytes and ossification of posterior longitudinal ligaments) and sequestration of the disk. Biportal endoscopic spinal surgery is a minimally invasive technique, which directly decompresses the lesion. By taking advantage of two procedures, in a long-level lumbar lesion, alignment correction and direct decompression can be both achieved. Herein, the authors introduce multilevel lumbar fusion through oblique lumbar interbody fusion and selective direct decompression through biportal endoscopic spinal surgery and discuss the surgical indications, surgical pitfalls, and recommendations for application. Consequently, it is regarded as a minimally invasive interbody fusion method for patients with multilevel lumbar degenerative degeneration.

Abstract Background Learning curves describe the rate of performance improvements corresponding to the surgeon’s caseload, followed by a plateau where limited further improvements are observed. This study aimed to determine the learning curve for biportal full-endoscopic posterior cervical foraminotomy (BE-PCF) for the unilateral cervical foraminal disc. Methods The learning curve was evaluated using a learning curve cumulative summation test (LC-CUSUM). The goal for the operation time was set to 78 min, which is the mean operation time (mOT) of percutaneous full-endoscopic posterior cervical foraminotomy (PE-PCF) performed by a senior surgeon. Moreover, clinical outcomes and post-operative complications were compared between the early and late learning periods 1 year post-operatively. Results This study enrolled the first 50 patients who underwent single-level BE-PCF, performed by a single surgeon. The LC-CUSUM signalled competency for surgery at the 20th operation, indicating that sufficient evidence was obtained to prove that the surgeon was competent. The mOT was 71.29 ± 11.69 min in BE-PCF, 71.84 ± 12.61 min in the early learning period, and 67.83 ± 10.31 min in the late learning period (p = 0.254). There was no statistical difference in clinical outcomes, visual analogue scale scores, and neck disability index between both periods (p > 0.05). Four complications were recorded throughout the whole period, with three in the early period and one in the late period (p = 0.285). Conclusion Our study shows that BE-PCF has a learning curve of 20 caseloads to achieve 90% proficiency, and it significantly reduces the operation time based on the performance of a senior surgeon proficient in PE-PCF.

Abstract Background Obese patients have a higher risk of complications during spinal surgery than non-obese patients. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have examined the differences in clinical and radiological outcomes after biportal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (BELD) between obese and non-obese patients. The study evaluated the association between obesity and outcomes after BELD in patients with lumbar disc herniation. Methods This was a retrospective case-control study conducted from March 2017 to March 2021 at two hospitals with 360 patients who underwent BELD after showing no improvement with conservative treatment. Clinical and radiologic outcomes were retrospectively analyzed after BELD in the non-obese (body mass index [BMI]

Objective: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) developed from late pregnancy to five months after delivery. Women with PPCM have the risk of mortality or non-recovered cardiac function. We aimed to investigate women with PPCM in Taiwan. Materials and methods: The retrospective study recruited patients with PPCM from January 2002 to October 2018 in a tertiary center. We evaluated the presentations, onset, associated conditions, maternal and fetal outcomes, follow-up cardiac function, and subsequent pregnancies. The clinical data were compared between antepartum and postpartum-onset of PPCM. Results: Thirty women were identified and seventeen (56.6%) patients were antepartum-onset. The delivery time, ranged from 26 to 40 weeks, was mostly at 35 weeks. Twenty-one patients had cardiac function follow-up and seven (33.3%) were non-recovered in six months. The associated conditions of PPCM included age >30, primiparity, preeclampsia or hypertension, obesity, twin pregnancy, and tocolysis. The maternal characteristics and associated conditions were not significant different, but early preterm (32.8 ± 3.6 vs. 35.5 ± 2.4 weeks, p = 0.042) and lower Apgar scores in one (7 vs. 9, p = 0.002) and 5 min (9 vs. 10, p = 0.005) were observed in the antepartum-onset group. Conclusion: In conclusion, PPCM commonly occurred around 35 weeks of gestation, ranged from 26 to 40 weeks. Additionally, there were risks of early preterm and low Apgar scores in women with antepartum-onset of PPCM.

Objective: One multiparity women had recurrent pregnancies of skeletal dysplasia. The karyotype and array-comparative genomic hybridization were unremarkable. Thus, trio whole exome sequencings were suggested. Case report: The ALPL gene mutations were identified. Maternal heterozygous deletion on Chr1: 21880592 (GRCh37) TA->T, paternal heterozygous insertion on Chr1 21894597, 21894598 (GRCh37) G->GC, T->TAA, and the compound heterozygous mutation were noted on her third pregnancy. The prenatal ultrasound findings and ALPL variants were compatible with the diagnosis of hypophosphatasia. Sanger sequencings were performed and found their normal phenotype daughter carried the same heterozygous mutation with her mother. The mother was then incidentally found her fourth pregnancy; unfortunately, the fetus was prenatally diagnosed of hypophosphatasia with the compound heterozygous mutations. Conclusion: The whole exome sequencing could assist to find the disease-causing variants, which may not be identified through routine prenatal diagnosis. With the precise diagnosis, we could provide the counseling for prenatal or pre-implantation diagnosis.

AbstractThis study was conducted to investigate the effect of changes in soil moisture content under climate change conditions on the growth response of Quercus dentata, a representative species of the genus Quercus on the Korean peninsula. The results showed that Q. dentata germination increased by 9.4 days under climate change conditions (RCP 4.5 scenario), whereas the below-ground biomass and plant biomass increased by 1.3 and 1.2 times, respectively. However, the soil moisture treatment condition solely affected the leaf area, below-ground biomass, and plant biomass but not the germination percentage, germination speed, above-ground length, and above-ground biomass. The variance across the measured growth variables was considerably higher in the control group than in the climate change treatment group, whereas the variance was lower for lower soil moisture content. The findings suggested that under climate change conditions, Q. dentata germinated rapidly and exhibited broader leaf area and increased development below ground, which may be advantageous for the early establishment of seedlings. However, the plants may face difficulties in conditions with low soil moisture content. In conclusion, with continuous climate changes, Q. dentata seedlings are predicted to efficiently adapt to the altered soil moisture content to exhibit even more reliable growth than with the current condition. However, the growth of Q. dentata seedlings would be more difficult with severely low soil moisture content than with abundant soil moisture content, which is predicted to be detrimental to population maintenance in the long term.

METTL3 catalyzes mRNA m6A deposition. The authors identify an acetylation-mediated regulation of METTL3 subcellular localization and compartment-specific functions, a process that is fine-tuned by anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory signals, which ultimately determine breast cancer metastasis.

To reveal the changes in the life history characteristics of grassland plants due to vegetation restoration, plant species and communities were analyzed for their competitor, stress tolerator, and ruderal (CSR) ecological strategies after the introduction of woody plants in the damaged steppe grassland and were compared with those in reference sites in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia. As a result, it was found that the introduction of the woody plants (Corethrodeneron fruticosum, Caragana microphylla, Populus canadensis, and Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica) into the damaged land greatly increased the plant species diversity and CSR eco-functional diversity as the succession progressed. The plant strategies of the temperate typical steppe (TTS) and woodland steppe (WS) in this Asian steppe are CSR and S/SR, respectively, which means that the plants are adapted to disturbances or stress. As the restoration time elapsed in the damaged lands exhibiting (R/CR) (Corispermum hyssopifolium), the ecological strategies were predicted to change in two ways: (1) →R/CSR (Cynanchum thesioides, Astragalus laxmannii, etc.) → CSR in places (TSS) (Galium verum var. asiaticum, Saussurea japonica, etc.) where only shrubs were introduced, and (2) → S/SR (Allium mongolicum, Ulmus pumila, etc.) → S/SR in sites (WS) (Ulmus pumila, Thalictrum squarrosum, etc.) where trees and shrubs were planted simultaneously. The results mean that the driving force that causes succession in the restoration of temperate grasslands is determined by the life-form (trees/shrubs) of the introduced woody plants. This means that for the restoration of these grasslands to be successful, it is necessary to introduce woody tree species at an early stage.

Beta-agonists (β-agonists) in meat products in one’s diet raise concerns about the possibility of foodborne illness. It may also lead to discomfort, such as headaches and occasional irregular heartbeats, which might be linked to a heightened concern for cardiovascular issues. Taiwan’s high demand for meat and reliance on imported meat products from certain countries where β-agonists are permitted has raised concerns. Recent import border checks and monitoring of meat products in the market have revealed the concentration of non-compliance with β-agonist residue regulations, which is ten ppb. This study aims to analyze the concentration of β-agonist residues in meat products sold in Taiwan and assess the current levels of exposure and dietary risk for consumers. The study analyzed 1415 samples of domestically produced and imported livestock products from supermarkets, traditional markets, and bulk stores in New Taipei City between 2019 and 2023. The samples were analyzed using the method for detecting 21 β-agonists based on the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration’s specifications. Estimated daily intake (EDI) of β-agonists for different age groups and the target hazard quotient (THQ) were used to assess dietary exposure and risk. The results showed that all 1415 samples were compliant with regulations. Among them, 43 beef samples showed residues of ractopamine originating from the United States, with residue concentrations ranging from 1 to 10 μg/kg and an average residue concentration of 3.3 ± 1.9 μg/kg. Under average consumption, the highest EDI for the exposed population was observed in the 6–12 age group, with values of 0.1469 μg/kg/day, 0.0734 μg/kg/day, and 0.0242 μg/kg/day for the three residue concentrations (maximum detected residue, maximum allowable residue, and average detected residue, respectively). The THQs for ractopamine in imported beef samples were all less than 1, indicating no health hazards at the current intake levels of each age group and the residue concentrations in commercially available beef. Despite the findings, traders need to acknowledge regulatory variations between Taiwan and exporting countries when importing meat products. Traders should provide inspection reports to monitor β-agonist residue levels in imports or explore sourcing beef from countries with β-agonist bans.