Search

Extraordinary physical properties arise at polar interfaces in oxide materials, including the emergence of 2D electron gases, sheet‐superconductivity, and multiferroicity. A special type of polar interface is ferroelectric domain walls, where electronic reconstruction phenomena can be driven by bound charges. Great progress has been achieved in the characterization of such domain walls and, over the last decade, their potential for next‐generation nanotechnology has become clear. Established tomography techniques, however, are either destructive or offer insufficient spatial resolution, creating a pressing demand for 3D imaging compatible with future fabrication processes. Here, non‐destructive tomographic imaging of ferroelectric domain walls is demonstrated using secondary electrons. Utilizing conventional scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the position, orientation, and charge state of hidden domain walls are reconstructed at distances up to several hundreds of nanometers away from the surface. A mathematical model is derived that links the SEM intensity variations at the surface to the local domain wall properties, enabling non‐destructive tomography with good noise tolerance on the timescale of seconds. The SEM‐based approach facilitates high‐throughput screening of materials with functional domain walls and domain‐wall‐based devices, which is essential for monitoring during the production of device architectures and quality control in real‐time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to examine the influence of gender on serum trace elements and minerals levels in depression, as well as the impact of suicidal ideation (SI) on these gender dimorphisms. A total of 260 unmedicated patients with a current major depressive episode were enrolled. The Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation was utilized to evaluate SI. The serum levels of copper, zinc, iron, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium were quantified. Within the non-SI (NSI) group, females exhibited higher levels of copper (p = 0.001) and phosphorus (p = 0.008), and lower levels of zinc (p = 0.022) and calcium (p = 0.008) compared to males. Conversely, no discernible gender disparities were observed in the SI group (all p > 0.05). Also, no group differences in these trace elements/minerals were observed between the SI and NSI groups (all p > 0.05). Notably, serum iron levels exhibited a significant group-by-sex interaction effect (p = 0.024). Further analysis revealed that iron levels were higher in the SI group than in the NSI group among females (p = 0.048), but lower in females than in males within the NSI group (p < 0.001). Moreover, a positive association between the fourth quantile of serum iron and SI was detected in females (odds ratio [OR] = 2.88, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.08–8.11). Gender effects on serum trace element/mineral levels were different in depressed patients with and without SI. Female patients were susceptible to SI when serum iron was at the upper end of normal. • Effects of gender on serum trace element levels differed between depressed patients with and without suicidal ideation. • In female patients, serum iron levels were higher in suicidal ideators than in non-suicidal ideators. • High serum iron levels were positively associated with suicidal ideation in female patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychosocial and behavioral interventions have been shown to significantly reduce depressive and anxiety symptoms in different populations. Recent evidence suggests that the mental health of the general population has deteriorated significantly since the start of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on the therapeutic effects of psychosocial and behavioral interventions on depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. We systematically searched six electronic databases between December 2019 and February 2022 including PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang Data. We included randomized clinical trials of psychosocial and behavioral interventions in individuals with depressive or anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 outbreak compared to various control conditions. A total of 35 eligible studies with 5457 participants were included. The meta-analysis results showed that psychosocial and behavioral interventions had statistically significant moderate effects on depression [SMD = − 0.73, 95% CI (− 1.01, − 0.45), I2 = 90%] and large effects on anxiety [SMD = − 0.90, 95% CI (− 1.19, − 0.60), I2 = 92%], especially in the general population and COVID-19 survivors. Exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy were found to be the most effective treatments with moderate-to-large effect size for depression and anxiety during the outbreak of COVID-19. We also found the internet-based approach could also achieve almost equally significant effects on depression and anxiety compared with face-to-face traditional approach. Our findings suggest that cognitive behavioral therapy and physical exercise intervention are significantly effective for depression and anxiety related to the COVID-19 pandemic regardless of the delivery modes, and gender differences should be taken into consideration for better implementation of interventions in clinical and community practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary: A transition‐metal‐free one‐pot direct synthesis of tetrathiophosphates (R1S)2P(S)SR2 from white phosphorus (P4), through intermediate sodium alkyltetrathiophosphates (R1S)2P(S)SNa, is presented. In the presence of NaSH, various disulfides such as diaryl disulfidbges and dialkyl disulfides are easily coupled with P4 to give sodium alkyltetrathiophosphates (R1S)2P(S)SNa in almost quantitative yield, which react with alkyl halides in one pot to generate (R1S)2P(S)SR2. Furthermore, S‐(2‐cyanoethyl)‐substituted tetrathiophosphates (R1S)2P(S)SCH2CH2CN are successfully designed as a kind of tetrathiophosphorylation reagent to react with diaryl iodonium salts involving deprotection‐dealkylation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) both showed cognitive impairment, and the altered neurometabolic may associate with cognitive impairment. However, there are limited comparative working memory (WM) and neuroimaging studies on these two disorders. Therefore, we investigated the characteristics of WM and neurometabolic changes in patients with OCD and MDD.Methods: A total of 64 unmedicated patients (32 OCD and 32 MDD), and 33 healthy controls (HC) were included to conduct WM assessment comprising Digit Span Test (DST), 2-back task and Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT). Additionally, all subjects underwent protons magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) to collect neurometabolic ratios of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) and choline-containing compounds (Cho) to creatine (Cr) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and lentiform nucleus (LN). Finally, differential and correlation analysis were conducted to investigate their characteristics and relationships.Results: Compared with HC, both OCD and MDD patients exhibited a lower accuracy rate in the 2-back task, and only MDD patients performed worse in DST scores and longer reaction times in SCWT (all p < 0.05). Both OCD and MDD patients had lower NAA/Cr ratios in bilateral PFC (all p < 0.05). And the decreased NAA/Cr ratios in right PFC were positively correlated to DST scores in MDD group (r = 0.518, p = 0.003).Conclusions: Both OCD and MDD showed WM impairment and neurometabolic alterations in PFC. Besides, MDD performed more severe and broader WM impairment compared to OCD. Moreover, the dysfunction of PFC may underlie the neural basis of WM impairment in MDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The direct construction of a C(sp)–S–P(O) moiety from unactivated terminal alkynes remains highly challenging. Alkynyl phosphorothioates are obtained by coupling terminal alkynes and P(O)SH. Using commercially available and inexpensive Ru(bpy)3Cl2 and copper as a catalyst, this cross dehydrogenative coupling reaction is first performed under photoirradiation. Direct use of stable P(O)SH and terminal alkynes without the need to prepare unstable S–X and P–X derivatives represents a prominent advantage of this method. More attractively, this operationally simple reaction avoids the use of odorous thiols and poisonous alkynyl bromides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This review investigates the efficacy and safety of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) combined with psychosocial intervention on depressive symptoms. Materials and methods: We systematically searched five electronic databases from their inception to June 2021: PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Medline. Randomized or non-randomized clinical trials in which NIBS plus psychosocial intervention was compared to control conditions in people with depressive symptoms were included. Results: A total of 17 eligible studies with 660 participants were included. The meta-analysis results showed that NIBS combined with psychosocial therapy had a positive effect on moderate to severe depression ([SMD = − 0.46, 95%CI (− 0.90, − 0.02), I2 = 73%, p <.01]), but did not significantly improve minimal to mild depression ([SMD = − 0.12, 95%CI (− 0.42, 0.18), I2 = 0%, p =.63]). Compared with NIBS alone, the combination treatment had a significantly greater effect in alleviating depressive symptoms ([SMD = − 0.84, 95%CI (− 1.25, − 0.42), I2 = 0%, p =.93]). However, our results suggested that the pooled effect size of ameliorating depression of NIBS plus psychosocial intervention had no significant difference compared with the combination of sham NIBS [SMD = − 0.12, 95%CI (− 0.31, 0.07), I2 = 0%, p =.60] and psychosocial intervention alone [SMD = − 0.97, 95%CI (− 2.32, 0.38), I2 = 72%, p =.01]. Conclusion: NIBS when combined with psychosocial intervention has a significant positive effect in alleviating moderately to severely depressive symptoms. Further well-designed studies of NIBS combined with psychosocial intervention on depression should be carried out to consolidate the conclusions and explore the in-depth underlying mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abrus cantoniensis Hance (AC), an abrus cantoniensis herb, is a Chinese medicinal herb used for the treatment of hepatitis. Total saponins extracted from AC (ACS) are a compound of triterpenoid saponins, which have protective properties against both chemical and immunological liver injuries. Nevertheless, ACS has not been proven to have an influence on drug-induced liver injury (DILI). This study used network pharmacology and experiments to investigate the effects of ACS on acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury. The targets associated with ACS and DILI were obtained from online databases. Cytoscape software was utilized to construct a "compound-target" network. In addition, Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were used to analyze the related signaling pathways impacted by ACS. AutoDock Vina was utilized to evaluate the binding affinity between bioactive compounds and the key targets. To validate the findings of network pharmacology, in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted. Cell viability assay, transaminase activity detection, immunofluorescence assay, immunohistochemistry staining, RT-qPCR, and western blotting were utilized to explore the effects of ACS. 25 active compounds and 217 targets of ACS were screened, of which 94 common targets were considered as potential targets for ACS treating APAP-induced liver injury. GO and KEGG analyses showed that the effects of ACS exert their effects on liver injury through suppressing inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Molecular docking results demonstrated that core active compounds of ACS were successfully docked to core targets such as CASP3, BCL2L1, MAPK8, MAPK14, PTGS2, and NOS2. In vitro experiments showed that ACS effectively attenuated APAP-induced damage through suppressing transaminase activity and attenuating apoptosis. Furthermore, in vivo studies demonstrated that ACS alleviated pathological changes in APAP-treated mice and attenuated inflammatory response. Additionally, ACS downregulated the expression of iNOS, COX2, and Caspase-3, and upregulated the expression of Bcl-2. ACS also suppressed the MAPK signaling pathway. This study demonstrated that ACS is a hepatoprotective drug through the combination of network pharmacology and in vitro and in vivo experiments. The findings reveal that ACS effectively attenuate APAP-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation through inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway. Consequently, this research offers novel evidence supporting the potential preventive efficacy of ACS. [Display omitted] • The mechanism of ACS on DILI was predicted by network pharmacology. • ACS attenuate APAP-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation. • ACS may exert hepatoprotective activities via MAPK/NF-κB pathway regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) combined with cognitive training (CT) may have shown some prospects on improving cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, data from clinical trials or meta-analysis involving NIBS combined with CT have shown controversial results. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate short-term and long-term effects of NIBS combined with CT on improving global cognition and other specific cognitive domains in patients with AD and MCI. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Five electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, Cochrane Library and Embase were searched up from inception to 20 November 2023. The PEDro scale and the Cochrane's risk of bias assessment were used to evaluate risk of bias and methodological quality of included studies. All statistical analyses were conducted with Review Manager 5.3. Results: We included 15 studies with 685 patients. The PEDro scale was used to assess methodological quality with a mean score of 7.9. The results of meta-analysis showed that NIBS combined with CT was effective on improving global cognition in AD and MCI (SMD = 0.52, 95% CI (0.18, 0.87), p = 0.003), especially for patients accepting repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with CT (SMD = 0.46, 95% CI (0.14, 0.78), p = 0.005). AD could achieve global cognition improvement from NIBS combined with CT group (SMD = 0.77, 95% CI (0.19, 1.35), p = 0.01). Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with CT could improve language function in AD and MCI (SMD = 0.29, 95% CI (0.03, 0.55), p = 0.03). At evaluation follow-up, rTMS combined with CT exhibited larger therapeutic responses to AD and MCI in global cognition (SMD = 0.55, 95% CI (0.09, 1.02), p = 0.02). AD could achieve global cognition (SMD = 0.40, 95% CI (0.03, 0.77), p = 0.03) and attention/working memory (SMD = 0.72, 95% CI (0.23, 1.20), p = 0.004) improvement after evaluation follow-up from NIBS combined with CT group. Conclusions: Overall, NIBS combined with CT, particularly rTMS combined with CT, has both short-term and follow-up effects on improving global cognition, mainly in patients with AD. tDCS combined with CT has advantages on improving language function in AD and MCI. Future more studies need evaluate cognitive effects of NIBS combined with CT on other specific cognitive domain in patients with cognitive deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) is a rare but highly aggressive cancer predominantly affecting children and adolescents. This study explores prognostic factors for pediatric and adolescent ARMS, using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Leveraging SEER data (2000-2019), we analyzed 277 cases. Employing Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards models, we identified significant prognostic factors. Gender distribution was nearly equal (56.0% boys, 44.0% girls), with the majority (70.8%) from the white ethnic group. Primary tumors were predominantly in extremities (37.2%). Distant metastases significantly increased mortality risk (hazard ratio [HR], 3.13; 95% CI: 2.14-4.58) and regional lymph node involvement raised mortality risk (HR, 1.36; 95% CI: 0.96-1.92). Chemotherapy-only treatment had higher mortality risk than chemoradiotherapy (HR, 1.16; 95% CI: 0.97-2.67). Conclusively, our study identifies distant metastases, regional lymph node involvement, and treatment modality as crucial predictors of overall survival in pediatric ARMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A passive LC resonant coil is added to the surface of the RF coil to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the Unilateral Magnetic Resonance sensor. • This work introduces a method for quickly calculating the AC resistance of an RF coil. • According to experiments, the LC resonant coil boosts the UMR's signal-to-noise ratio by three times. Single-sided or unilateral magnetic resonance (UMR) technology has various benefits, such as an open structure, low cost, portability, and nondestructive measurement, in contrast to the conventional closed magnet structure. UMR is widely used in material analysis, well logging, and biomedicine. However, its development is constrained by its poor signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). To enhance the SNR of UMR sensor, a surface coil of LC resonator is added on the Radio Frequency (RF) coil. First, a method of calculating the current in the RF coil including LC resonator is derived. Next, the equivalent AC resistance of the coil is calculated using the partial-element equivalent-circuit (PEEC) method. Finally, the SNR of a UMR sensor incorporating LC resonator is analyzed, and its sensitivity map is provided. Experimental comparisons are made between the UMR sensor with and without a LC resonator. Results show that the SNR of the UMR can be enhanced by up to three times after the LC resonator is loaded. The SNR improves within 30 mm of the coil surface, and this beneficial effect steadily diminishes as the distance increases. This study offers a useful method for improving the signal of UMR sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is widely known that sex differences have a significant impact on patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). This study aims to evaluate the sex-related connection between serum trace elements and changes in neurometabolism in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of MDD patients. 109 untreated MDD patients and 59 healthy controls underwent proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) under resting conditions. We measured metabolic ratios in the ACC from both sides. Additionally, venous blood samples were taken from all participants to detect calcium (Ca), phosphorus, magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), ceruloplasmin (CER), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) levels. We performed association and interaction analyses to explore the connections between the disease and gender. In individuals with MDD, the Cu/Zn ratio increased, while the levels of Mg, CER, Zn and Fe decreased. Male MDD patients had lower Cu levels, while female patients had an increased Cu/Zn ratio. We observed significant gender differences in Cu, CER and the Cu/Zn ratio in MDD. Male patients showed a reduced N -acetyl aspartate (NAA)/phosphocreatine + creatine (PCr + Cr) ratio in the left ACC. The NAA/PCr + Cr ratio decreased in the right ACC in patients with MDD. In the left ACC of male MDD patients, the Cu/Zn ratio was inversely related to the NAA/PCr + Cr ratio, and Fe levels were negatively associated with the GPC + PC/PCr + Cr ratio. Our findings highlight gender-specific changes in Cu homeostasis among male MDD patients. The Cu/Zn ratio and Fe levels in male MDD patients were significantly linked to neurometabolic alterations in the ACC. • Serum levels of Cu and CER decreased in men with MDD, while the Cu/Zn ratio increased in women with MDD. • In males with MDD, a gender-specific decrease in the NAA/PCr + Cr ratio was noted in the left ACC. • The Cu/Zn ratio and Fe levels in male MDD patients are associated with changes in neurometabolism in the ACC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the potential roles of melatonin in cadmium (Cd) uptake, accumulation and detoxification in Malus plants, we exposed two different apple rootstocks varying greatly in Cd uptake and accumulation to either 0 or 30 μM Cd together with 0 or 100 μM melatonin. Cadmium stress stimulated endogenous melatonin production to a greater extent in the Cd-tolerant Malus baccata Borkh. than in the Cd-susceptible Malus micromalus 'qingzhoulinqin'. Melatonin application attenuated Cd-induced reductions in growth, photosynthesis and enzyme activity, as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde accumulation. Melatonin treatment more effectively restored photosynthesis, photosynthetic pigments and biomass in Cd-challenged M. micromalus 'qingzhoulinqin' than in Cd-stressed M. baccata. Exogenous melatonin lowered root Cd2+ uptake, reduced leaf Cd accumulation, decreased Cd translocation factors and increased root, stem and leaf melatonin contents in both Cd-exposed rootstocks. Melatonin application increased both antioxidant concentrations and enzyme activities to scavenge Cd-induced ROS. Exogenous melatonin treatment altered the mRNA levels of several genes regulating Cd uptake, transport and detoxification including HA7 , NRAMP1 , NRAMP3 , HMA4 , PCR2 , NAS1 , MT2 , ABCC1 and MHX. Taken together, these results suggest that exogenous melatonin reduced aerial parts Cd accumulation and mitigated Cd toxicity in Malus plants, probably due to the melatonin-mediated Cd allocation in tissues, and induction of antioxidant defense system and transcriptionally regulated key genes involved in detoxification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To pursue green ecological agriculture, long-life functionalized green house is looking for solar spectrum conversions with well spectral match, outstanding thermal and chemical stabilities, excellent anti-photobleaching and UV-conversion performance. CaS:Eu2+-based phosphors are widely known as a candidate for agricultural films with remarkable green-to-red conversion performance while they are also notorious for poor stabilities. In this work, a core-shell structured CaS:Eu2+@CaZnOS:Mn2+ composite phosphor was synthesized by a two-step solid state method. The coating layer of thermally and chemically inert oxysulfide prevents the sulfide core phosphor from hydrophilic, air-sensitive and heat-induced decompositions. Moreover, the addition of Mn2+ in CaZnOS shell qualifies the composite phosphor with strong UV absorption, which contributes to the improvement of the anti-photodegradation of the inner CaS:Eu2+ and the anti-aging of practical polymer films. The additional UV-to-orange red conversion resulting from CaZnOS:Mn2+ further extends the red components for the indoor plants. As a result, this dual UV/green excited and dual red-emitting super stable chalcogenide phosphor can be used as a general spectral conversion for plant cultivation. A chemical surface coating technique and co-doping strategy establish core-shell typed chalcogenide material CaS:Eu2+@CaZnOS:Mn2+. The dual-UV/green-excited and dual-red-emitting spectral conversion performance and the full-weather resistance qualify the red phosphor with great potential as a sunlight spectral conversion in long-life agricultural films. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A set-valued information system is the generalization of a single-valued information system and its information structures reflect the internal features of this kind of information system. This paper investigates information structures in a set-valued information system from granular computing viewpoint, i.e., information structures are viewed as granular structures. The distance between two objects in a set-valued information system is first introduced. Then, the fuzzy Tcos-equivalence relation, induced by this kind of information system by using Gaussian kernel method, is obtained, where Gaussian kernel is based on this distance. Next, information structures of this kind of information system are described by set vectors. Moreover, relationships between information structures are studied from two sides of dependence and separation. Finally, as a simple application for the proposed information structures, granularity measure of uncertainty for a set-valued information system is investigated. These results will be helpful for establishing a framework of granular computing in an information system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An information system as a database that shows relationships between objects and attributes is a crucial mathematical model in the field of artificial intelligence. A real-valued information system is an information system where information function values of each attribute are real numbers. This paper explores information structures in an incomplete real-valued information system. Distances between two objects in a given subsystem of an incomplete real-valued information system is first constructed. Then, the fuzzy Tcos-equivalence relation, induced by this subsystem by using Gaussian kernel method, is obtained, where Gaussian kernel is based on this distance. Next, information structure of this subsystem is proposed. Moreover, relationships between two information structures are studied from the two aspects of dependence and separation. Finally, the dependence between two information structures is studied by using inclusion degree. These results will be helpful for establishing a framework of granular computing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Hybrid structure optoelectronic devices can bring hope to the design of new-generation functional nanodevices because they can combine hybrid structure nanomaterials with flexible and transparent substrates to maximize device miniaturization and usability. Here, we prepared a highly efficient flexible photodetector based on a SnO 2 /CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 hybrid structure. The photodetector exhibits a very wide spectral response range and fast response speeds. The response speeds is shorter than 0.4 s under 388 nm laser irradiations at 3 V. Moreover, the device demonstrates surprising flexibility under different bending degrees and excellent mechanical stability after many extreme bending cycles. Hence, the great potential properties of inorganic/perovskite hybrid materials will make it into a promising building block in flexible optoelectronics. Graphical abstract The low-cost fabrication of SnO 2 /CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 hybrid structure flexible photodetector exhibits good flexibility and stability. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical production of hydrogen from water holding tremendous promise for clean energy has been directed to the search for non-noble metal based and earth-abundant catalysts. Here we report dramatically enhanced HER catalysis of ternary I-CuWS nanosheets from chemically exfoliated via lithium intercalation. Structural characterization and electrochemical study confirmed that the enhanced electrocatalytic activity of I-CuWS nanosheets is associated with the larger surface area to provide an easy path for the hopping of electrons. This study opens a new way for the development of ternary highly active non-noble electrocatalysts for hydrogen production from water splitting. Graphical Abstract: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the impact of different solvents (water, 60% methanol, 60% ethanol and 60% acetone) and methods (conventional solvent extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction and ultrasound-microwave assisted extraction) on the phenolic profile and antioxidant activity of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) pulp. The Folin-Ciocalteu assay was used to determine the total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant activity was measured by DPPH and ABTS assays. The phenolic profiles in different extracts were identified using the UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS technique. The results showed that significant differences (p < 0.05) in TPC were found among different extraction methods, the microwave-assisted extraction with 60% ethanol had the highest TPC (2.40 mg GAE/g) compared with the extracts obtained from other methods. Meanwhile, the highest DPPH radical and ABTS radical cation was found in the 60% ethanol-MAE extracts. Correlation analysis further showed a significant positive correlation between TPC and antioxidant activity (R2 > 0.8, p < 0.001). Seventy-eight phenolic compounds were identified by UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis. The most abundant phenolic compounds in jackfruit pulp were identified in negative mode, with 60% ethanol-MAE being the most effective. The quantity of phenolic compounds extracted varied with different extraction methods indicated that the extraction methods had effects on the phytochemical characteristics. [Display omitted] • Polyphenols from jackfruit pulp were extracted using four different extraction methods. • UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS is applied to identify phenolics in different extracts. • Ethanol-MAE extracts had the strongest antioxidant activity. • The antioxidant activity and TPC of the extracts have a significant positive correlation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal (HM)-accumulating herbaceous and woody plants are employed for phytoremediation. To develop improved strategies for enhancing phytoremediation efficiency, knowledge of the microstructural, physiological and molecular responses underlying HM-accumulation is required. Here we review the progress in understanding the structural, physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying HM uptake, transport, sequestration and detoxification, as well as the regulation of these processes by signal transduction in response to HM exposure. The significance of genetic engineering for enhancing phytoremediation efficiency is also discussed. In herbaceous plants, HMs are taken up by roots and transported into the root cells via transmembrane carriers for nutritional ions. The HMs absorbed by root cells can be further translocated to the xylem vessels and unloaded into the xylem sap, thereby reaching the aerial parts of plants. HMs can be sequestered in the cell walls, vacuoles and the Golgi apparatuses. Plant roots initially perceive HM stress and trigger the signal transduction, thereby mediating changes at the molecular, physiological, and microstructural level. Signaling molecules such as phytohormones, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO), modulate plant responses to HMs via differentially expressed genes, activation of the antioxidative system and coordinated cross talk among different signaling molecules. A number of genes participated in HM uptake, transport, sequestration and detoxification have been functionally characterized and transformed to target plants for enhancing phytoremediation efficiency. Fast growing woody plants hold an advantage over herbaceous plants for phytoremediation in terms of accumulation of high HM-amounts in their large biomass. Presumably, woody plants accumulate HMs using similar mechanisms as herbaceous counterparts, but the processes of HM accumulation and signal transduction can be more complex in woody plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overexpression of bacterial γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase in the cytosol of Populus tremula × P. alba produces higher glutathione ( GSH) concentrations in leaves, thereby indicating the potential for cadmium ( Cd) phytoremediation. However, the net Cd2+ influx in association with H+/ Ca2+, Cd tolerance, and the underlying molecular and physiological mechanisms are uncharacterized in these poplars., We assessed net Cd2+ influx, Cd tolerance and the transcriptional regulation of several genes involved in Cd2+ transport and detoxification in wild-type and transgenic poplars., Poplars exhibited highest net Cd2+ influxes into roots at p H 5.5 and 0.1 mM Ca2+. Transgenics had higher Cd2+ uptake rates and elevated transcript levels of several genes involved in Cd2+ transport and detoxification compared with wild-type poplars. Transgenics exhibited greater Cd accumulation in the aerial parts than wild-type plants in response to Cd2+ exposure. Moreover, transgenic poplars had lower concentrations of O2˙− and H2 O2; higher concentrations of total thiols, GSH and oxidized GSH in roots and/or leaves; and stimulated foliar GSH reductase activity compared with wild-type plants., These results indicate that transgenics are more tolerant of 100 μM Cd2+ than wild-type plants, probably due to the GSH-mediated induction of the transcription of genes involved in Cd2+ transport and detoxification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Utilizing SFG to investigate the buried interface structure of water-based and solvent-based PMMA coatings. • Clarified the difference in interface structure between water-based and solvent-based PMMA coatings. • Providing the methods to improve the interface structure of polymer coatings. Water-based polymer coatings usually exhibit poor adhesion performance compared to their solvent-based counterparts. Unveiling the difference in interface structures between water-based and solvent-based polymer coatings will help to improve the adhesion performance of water-based polymer coatings. Herein, sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy was utilized to detect the buried interfaces of water-based and solvent-based polymer coatings. Water-based poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) coatings containing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as an emulsifier and solvent-based PMMA coatings using toluene as solvent were selected as the model systems for this investigation. The results demonstrate that the interface between water-based PMMA and silica substrate is mainly occupied by SDS and water molecules, and the polymer chains show random-coil conformations due to their encapsulation by SDS. In contrast, for the solvent-based PMMA, the PMMA chains directly contact the silica substrate and exhibit stretched chain conformations at the interface. The interface structure of water-based PMMA coatings can be improved by annealing at T g + 70 ℃ to form an adsorbed polymer layer. This work reveals the origin of the difference in the adhesion strength of water-based and solvent-based polymer coatings at the molecular level, which is significant for the design and performance optimization of water-based polymer coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the chaoticity-dependent atomic transport of a spin-orbit (SO) coupled Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) held in an optical superlattice. Considering the phase synchronization between the motional states, we obtain the chaotic perturbed solution and the current density-related chaos parameter regions by using the analytical Melnikov’s chaos criterion. We analytically demonstrate that the area of high-chaoticity region enlarges as the decrease of current density J1. Then we numerically generate the Poincaré sections to pinpoint that the chaos probability is enhanced with the decrease of the current components and the large current component J2 results in the zero chaoticity. The insensitivity of the chaoticity to some ranges of initial conditions and the influence of chemical potential on chaoticity are also investigated. These results reveal a feasible scheme to control the regular and chaotic states by adjusting the parameters and initial condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ectomycorrhizas ( EMs), which are symbiotic organs formed between tree roots and certain fungi, can mediate cadmium ( Cd) tolerance of host plants, but the underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. To investigate EMs mediated Cd tolerance in woody plants, Populus × canescens was inoculated with Paxillus involutus (strain MAJ) to establish mycorrhizal roots. Mycorrhizal poplars and non-mycorrhizal controls were exposed to 0 or 50 μM CdSO4. EMs displayed higher net Cd2+ influx than non-mycorrhizal roots. Net Cd2+ influx was coupled with net H+ efflux and inactivation of plasma membrane ( PM) H+- ATPases reduced Cd2+ uptake of EMs less than of non-mycorrhizal roots. Consistent with higher Cd2+ uptake in EMs, in most cases, transcript levels of genes involved in Cd2+ uptake, transport and detoxification processes were increased in EMs compared to non-mycorrhizal roots. Higher CO2 assimilation, improved nutrient and carbohydrate status, and alleviated oxidative stress were found in mycorrhizal compared to non-mycorrhizal poplars despite higher Cd2+ accumulation. These results indicate that mycorrhizas increase Cd2+ uptake, probably by an enlarged root volume and overexpression of genes involved in Cd2+ uptake and transport, and concurrently enhance Po. × canescens Cd tolerance by increased detoxification, improved nutrient and carbohydrate status and defence preparedness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Labile carbon (C) inputs to soil affect organic C dynamics in soil and the pathway of energy metabolism in tissue of plants. However, studies focusing on orchard soil are still scarce. In this study, the fate of 13C-glucose in organic C components, and the C metabolism in root of Malus baccata (L.) Borkh. in response to exogenous glucose at two levels, 1.50 g kg−1 (GLC1) and 7.50 g kg−1 (GLC2), were evaluated. Glucose addition increased the δ13C values and contents of soil organic carbon (SOC) and active fractions including microbial biomass carbon (MBC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) pools, and particulate organic carbon (POC). At the end of the experiment, the MBC, DOC, and POC contents in GLC1 were 3.20%, 14.26%, and 5.16% higher than those in GLC2, respectively. In addition, no marked difference was found for SOC content between these two glucose rates. At the end of incubation, glucose-C was mostly allocated to SOC (56.79–85.05%), followed by DOC (4.72–20.88%) and MBC (4.46–18.1%); the lowest percentage was in POC (3.86–5.77%). Exogenous glucose increased the contents of organic acids and activities of key enzymes related with C metabolism in roots of M. baccata. In addition, adenosine triphosphate content, the energy matter, in root under GLC1 was 22.35% higher than that under GLC2. Correlation analyses suggested that the soil organic C fractions were positively correlated with C metabolism parameters in the roots of M. baccata. Overall, glucose addition improved the C metabolism in roots and the allocation of glucose-derived C in soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a newly developed digital current differential protection for transmission lines. The proposed protection is different from existing ones in two aspects: one is using GPS time information to implement synchronized sampling at all terminals of the protected line. Another is the application of new differential algorithm based on fault component instantaneous value. To evaluate the performance of the protection, both the EMTP simulation study on the new algorithm and the dynamic simulation test on the prototype of the protection are conducted. The test results have proved the correctness of the new algorithm and the feasibility of the protection scheme. This paper starts with brief introduction to overall scheme of the protection, then focuses on describing the principles of GPS based synchronized sampling and new differential algorithm. The simulation results are also presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this study, we aimed to elucidate the effect of pulp cell wall structure on fruit hardness and crispness in apples. To this end, we studied the cell wall polysaccharides in two apple varieties, "Hanfu" and "Honeycrisp," during fruit development. Compared with Hanfu, the crispness of Honeycrisp was higher, whereas its harness was lower. The intensity and distribution of immunofluorescence signals indicated that galactose and arabinose contributed to the higher hardness of Hanfu, whereas arabinose, egg-box structure, and fucosylated xyloglucans, distributed in the corners of tricellular junctions, enhanced the cell–cell adhesion and improved the crispness of Honeycrisp. Besides, fucosylated xyloglucan played an important role in promoting the formation and maintaining the strength of the cell wall skeleton and, consequently, retaining the fruit crispness. The esterification state of pectin had little effect on the fruit hardness and crispness in both varieties. Collectively, our findings provided information on the underlying mechanism of fruit texture formation in apples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent evidences have shown sex-differential cognitive deficits in bipolar disorder (BD) and differences in cognitions across BD subtypes. However, the sex-specific effect on cognitive impairment in BD subtype II (BD-II) remains obscure. The aim of the current study was to examine whether cognitive deficits differ by gender in youth with BD-II depression. Method: This cross-sectional study recruited 125 unmedicated youths with BD-II depression and 140 age-, sex-, and education-matched healthy controls (HCs). The Chinese version of the Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) was used to assess cognitive functions. Mood state was assessed using the 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (24-HDRS) and the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was conducted. Result: ​Compared with HCs, patients with BD-II depression had lower scores on MCCB composite and its seven cognitive domains (all p < 0.001). After controlling for age and education, MANCOVA revealed significant gender-by-group interaction on attention/vigilance (F = 6.224, df = 1, p = 0.013), verbal learning (F = 9.847, df = 1, p = 0.002), visual learning (F = 4.242, df = 1, p = 0.040), and composite (F = 8.819, df = 1, p = 0.003). Post hoc analyses suggested that males performed worse in the above-mentioned MCCB tests than females in BD-II depression. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated generalized cognitive deficits in unmedicated youths with BD-II depression. Male patients performed more serious cognitive impairment on attention/vigilance, verbal learning, and visual learning compared to female patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a distribution principle of bus protection. Description of bus protection system; Features and design of system; How improvements of bus protrection can be achieved; Advantages over the traditional centralized principle.

Vortioxetine has been shown to improve cognitive performance in people with depression. This study will look at the changes in neurobiochemical metabolites that occur when vortioxetine improves cognitive performance in MDD patients, with the goal of determining the neuroimaging mechanism through which vortioxetine improves cognitive function. 30 depressed patients and 30 demographically matched healthy controls (HC) underwent MCCB cognitive assessment and 1H-MRS. After 8 weeks of vortioxetine medication, MCCB and 1H-MRS tests were retested in the MDD group. Before and after therapy, changes in cognitive performance, NAA/Cr, and Cho/Cr were examined in the MDD group. Compared with the HC group, the MDD group had significant reduced in verbal learning, social cognition, and total cognition (all p < 0.05). And the MDD group had lower NAA/Cr in Right thalamus and Left PFC; the Cho/Cr in Right thalamus was lower than HC; the Cho/Cr in Left ACC had significantly increase (all p < 0.05). The MDD group showed significant improvements in the areas of verbal learning, attention/alertness, and total cognitive function before and after Vortioxetine treatment (all p < 0.05). The NAA/Cr ratio of the right PFC before and after treatment (t = 2.338, p = 0.026) showed significant changes. Vortioxetine can enhance not just the depression symptoms of MDD patients in the initial period, but also their verbal learning, social cognition, and general cognitive capacities after 8 weeks of treatment. Furthermore, vortioxetine has been shown to enhance cognitive function in MDD patients by altering NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr levels in the frontal-thalamic-ACC. • Vortioxetine can improve attention/alertness, verbal learning, and overall cognitive performance in individuals with depression. • By restoring the predominant NAA/Cr metabolic state in the left frontal brain area, vortioxetine may enhance cognitive function. • The frontal lobe-thalamus-cingulate gyrus loop may have an influence on cognitive function in depressed people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Suicide in bipolar disorder (BD) is a multifaceted behavior, involving specific neuroendocrine and psychological mechanisms. According to previous studies, we hypothesized that suicidal BD patients may exhibit impaired dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) variability of hippocampal subregions and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity, which may be associated with suicide-related personality traits. The objective of our study was to clarify this. Methods: Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were obtained from 79 patients with BD, 39 with suicidal attempt (SA), and 40 without SA, and 35 healthy controls (HCs). The activity of the HPA axis was assessed by measuring morning plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol (CORT) levels. All participants underwent personality assessment using Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2). Results: BD patients with SA exhibited increased dFC variability between the right caudal hippocampus and the left superior temporal gyrus (STG) when compared with non-SA BD patients and HCs. BD with SA also showed significantly lower ACTH levels in comparison with HCs, which was positively correlated with increased dFC variability between the right caudal hippocampus and the left STG. BD with SA had significantly higher scores of Hypochondriasis, Depression, and Schizophrenia than non-SA BD. Additionally, multivariable regression analysis revealed the interaction of ACTH × dFC variability between the right caudal hippocampus and the left STG independently predicted MMPI-2 score (depression evaluation) in suicidal BD patients. Conclusion: These results suggested that suicidal BD exhibited increased dFC variability of hippocampal-temporal cortex and less HPA axis hyperactivity, which may affect their personality traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A set-valued information system (SIS) is the generalization of a single-valued information system. This article explores uncertainty measurement for a SIS by using Gaussian kernel. The fuzzy T c o s -equivalence relation lead by a SIS is first obtained by using Gaussian kernel. Then, information structures in this SIS are described by set vectors. Next, dependence between information structures is presented and properties of information structures are investigated. Lastly, uncertainty measures of a SIS are presented by using its information structures. Moreover, effectiveness analysis is done to assess the feasibility of our presented measures. The consequence of this article will help us understand the intrinsic properties of uncertainty in a SIS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft set theory is a mathematical tool for handling uncertainty. This paper investigates the limits of the interval type of soft sets ( i t -soft sets). The notion of i t -soft sets is first introduced. Then, the limits of i t -soft sets are proposed and their properties obtained. Next, point-wise continuity of i t -soft sets and continuous i t -soft sets is discussed. Finally, an application for rough sets is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cell wall material, organic matter, and membrane stability change during fruit development and storage. • Cell wall material, organic matter, and membrane stability affect the crispness of 'Hanfu' apples. • Fruit with low crispness at 98 days after full bloom had higher levels of cell wall material and lower levels of sugars. • Fruit with a high crispness at 178 days after full bloom exhibited an improved membrane stability. Crispness is a crucial commercially property of the apple fruit texture, but the dynamic change of apple crispness and contributing factors during fruit development and storage remain poorly understood. In this study, we examined the crispness of 'Hanfu' apples from fruitlet to senescence and analyzed the physiological and biochemical indexes involved in crispness change. The results indicate that 'Hanfu' apples exhibited the lowest crispness at 98 days after full bloom (DAFB), then gradually reached the highest crispness at 178 DAFB, followed by a decrease during storage. Crispy fruit features large cells and low contents of cell wall material, cellulose, and hemicellulose, which reduces the cell wall resistance. High sugar and low hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) contents improve the cell turgor and membrane stability. At the molecular level, the relative expression of genes associated with cell wall expansion (MdEXPA2), water transport (MdPIP1;3), and sugar accumulation (MdHK2) was significantly low level at 178 DAFB, whereas genes related to membrane stability maintained a relatively high expression level. This outcome may be linked to cell wall swelling, sugar accumulation, and rapid reactive oxygen species scavenging at 178 DAFB. Therefore, apple crispness depends on cell wall fractions, organic matter content, and membrane stability rather than a specific cell component. The results of this study provide a foundation for the improvement of the fruit quality, and postharvest management strategies. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objectives: To identify available instruments for assessing cancer patients' spiritual needs and to examine their psychometric properties using the Consensus‐based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) methodology. Background: Cancer patients frequently have significant spiritual needs. The nurse plays an integral role in assessing the patient's spiritual needs as part of providing holistic care. It is crucial to assess these needs using appropriate and reliable instruments. Design: A systematic review based on COSMIN methodology. Methods: Seven electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, ProQuest, CNKI and WANFANG) were systematically searched from inception until 14 February 2023. Two authors independently screened eligible literature, extracted data and evaluated methodological and psychometric quality. This systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA checklist. Results: Sixteen studies have reported 16 different versions of the instruments. None of the instruments were properly assessed for all psychometric properties, nor were measurement error, responsiveness and cross‐cultural validity/measurement invariance reported. All of the instruments failed to meet the COSMIN quality criteria for content validity. The quality of evidence for structural validity and/or internal consistency in five instruments did not meet the COSMIN criteria. Eventually, five instruments were not recommended, and 11 were only weakly recommended. Conclusion: Instruments to assess spiritual needs exhibited limited reliability and validity. The Spiritual Care Needs Scale is provisionally recommended for research and clinical settings, but its limitations regarding content validity and cross‐cultural application must be considered in practice. Future research should further revise the content of available instruments and comprehensively and correctly test their psychometric properties. Relevance to Clinical Practice: The review findings will provide evidence for healthcare professionals to select instruments for recognising spiritual needs in cancer patients. No Patient or Public Contribution: This study is a systematic review with no patient or public participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Software defect prediction contributes to ensuring the quality of software development and reducing software maintenance costs. However, the class imbalance problem can affect the accuracy of defect prediction classification, which is a crucial issue to be solved urgently. We propose a novel software defect prediction model based on a twin support vector machine to address imbalanced data classification issues and optimize the prediction effect. The model embeds the within-class structure of the training samples as the regularization term into the objective function, considering the structural information hidden in the data, and obtains the class structure information through clustering. Moreover, by introducing within-class structure information to maximize the within-class distances and one class intervals, the model produces a superior classification hyperplane and enhances the generalization ability of the support vector machine. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm achieves higher prediction accuracy, more robust adaptability, and optimized performance in classifying imbalanced data compared with existing algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging evidences have revealed long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs') critical roles in diverse human carcinoma. Among these cancers, lncRNA LOC285194 has been extensively investigated in several types of carcinomas in the recent years. Nevertheless, the biological function, clinical relevance, and the influence of LOC285194 in gastric cancer (GC) are not fully understood. The present study aims to explore the biological function of LOC285194 in the progression and development of GC. First, LOC285194 expressions were detected in GC tissues and cell lines. The functional role of LOC285194 in GC was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. Our data found that LOC285194 was lowly expressed both in human GC tissues and GC cell lines compared with corresponding normal controls. Moreover, LOC285194 was mitigated by transfection with LV‐LOC285194 in both HGC‐27 and MKN45 cell lines. Silencing of LOC285194 remarkably induced GC cell livability and cell proliferation. On the contrary, the LOC285194 overexpression suppressed MKN45 and HGC‐27 cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis. Additionally, silencing of LOC285194 increased the ability of colony formation, cell migration, and invasive capacities, together with blocking the apoptotic rates of GC cells. Correspondently, LOC285194 overexpression exerted the opposite effects. Mechanistically, silencing of LOC285194 promoted GC progression via inducing Wnt signaling activity. Moreover, in vivo xenografts nude mice model results showed that LOC285194 inhibited GC progression through targeting Wnt signaling. Taken together, LOC285194 is associated with GC progression by regulating the Wnt signaling transduction, potentiating LOC285194's promising role as a novel treatment biomarker in GC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The turnover intention (TI) of nurses is common, posing a threat to modern healthcare organizations. Psychological contract (PC) is a predictor of TI, affecting significantly nurse's TI. However, the extent of the association between PC and nurse's TI is unknown. We performed a meta-analysis to quantitatively analyze the relationship between PC and nurse's TI. Methods: We searched nine electronic databases from inception to July 2023. Observational studies were included using a retrieval strategy related to PC and TI. Meta-analyses of common effect and random effect models were performed using R software with Spearman or Pearson correlation coefficients. Meta-regression, subgroup analysis, publication bias, and sensitivity analysis were also carried out. Results: Eighteen studies including 8,908 nurses were identified. Based on various PC-related perspectives, 16 studies explored nurses' TI in terms of the content and three-dimensional structure of PC. Of these, 9 studies reported the negative direction of the correlation between PC and TI (r ranged from − 0.20 to -0.45), whereas 7 studies reported the positive direction of the correlation between PC and TI (r ranged from 0.32 to 0.50). The PC total and its dimensions were found to have moderately significant associations with TI, with the exception of the PCE and PCE-I. Additional, 2 studies reported the relationship between the outcome of PC and TI, the PCF, PCB, and PCV were powerful predictors of nurses' TI. Meta-regression and subgroup analysis found that only nurses working in specialized departments might be the source of heterogeneity. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this was the first meta-analysis to quantitatively examine the relationship between PC and TI among nurses. The findings reaffirmed the necessity for healthcare administrators and the medical profession to valued nurse' good interpersonal, social support, humanistic environment, and meet nurses' psychological and spiritual needs in addition to their material demands. Moderators of the connection between PC and TI, based on meta-regression and subgroup analyses, should be carefully explored as they may aid in identifying nurses' TI. Additional, longitudinal research, as well as mixed research, should be conducted to more comprehensively explore the relationship between PC and TI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Major depressive disorder (MDD) and insomnia have been linked to deficiencies in cognitive performance. However, the underlying mechanism of cognitive impairment in MDD patients with insomnia symptoms (IS) remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the effects of IS in patients with MDD by comparing cognitive function indices among those with IS, those without insomnia symptoms (NIS), and healthy controls (HCs). In addition, we assessed whether the dysfunction of central nervous system (CNS) is one of the important pathophysiologic mechanisms of IS in patients with MDD by comparing the biochemical metabolism ratios in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Fifty-five MDD with IS, 39 MDD without IS, and 47 demographically matched HCs underwent the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) assessment and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS). MCCB cognitive scores and biochemical metabolism in ACC were assessed and compared between groups. Compared to the HCs group, IS and NIS groups scored significantly lower in seven MCCB cognitive domains (speed of processing, attention/vigilance, working memory, verbal learning, visual learning, reasoning problem solving and social cognition). IS group showed a lower speed of processing and lower Cho/Cr ratio in the left ACC vs. NIS group and HCs. Also, in IS group, the Cho/Cr ratio in the left ACC was positively correlated with the composite T -score. Patients with comorbidity of MDD with IS may exhibit more common MCCB cognitive impairments than those without IS, particularly speed of processing. Also, dysfunction of ACC may underlie the neural substrate of cognitive impairment in MDD with IS. • Major depressive disorder with insomnia symptoms suffered more common MCCB cognitive impairments and neuro dysfunction. • Using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy to assess brain biochemical metabolism. • MDD patients with insomnia symptoms exhibited lower Cho/Cr ratio in left ACC. • Brain biochemical metabolism changes in ACC were correlated with cognitive function impairments in MDD with insomnia symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To unravel the physiological and molecular regulation mechanisms underlying the variation in copper (Cu)accumulation, translocation and tolerance among five apple rootstocks, seedlings were exposed to either basal or excess Cu. Excess Cu suppressed plant biomass and root architecture, which was less pronounced in Malus prunifolia Borkh. indicating its relatively higher Cu tolerance. Among the five apple rootstocks, M. prunifolia exhibited the highest Cu concentration and bio-concentration factor in roots but the lowest translocation factor, indicating its greater ability to immobilize Cu and restrict translocation to the aerial parts. Higher Cu concentration in cell wall fraction but lower Cu proportion in membrane-containing and organelle-rich fractions were found in M. prunifolia. Compared with the other four apple rootstocks under excess Cu conditions, M. prunifolia had a lower increment of hydrogen peroxide in roots and leaves and malondialdehyde in roots, but higher concentrations of carbohydrates and enhanced antioxidants. Transcript levels of genes involved in Cu uptake, transport and detoxification revealed species-specific differences that are probably related to alterations in Cu tolerance. M. prunifolia had relatively higher gene transcript levels including copper transporters 2 (COPT2), COPT6 and zinc/iron-regulated transporter-related protein 2 (ZIP2), which probably took part in Cu uptake, and C-type ATP-binding cassette transporter 2 (ABCC2), copper chaperone for Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (CCS), Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase 1 (CSD1) and metallothionein 2 (MT2) probably implicated in Cu detoxification, and relatively lower mRNA levels of yellow stripe-like transporter 3 (YSL 3) and heavy metal ATPase 5 (HMA5) involved in transport of Cu to aerial parts. These results suggest that M. prunifolia is more tolerant to excess Cu than the other four apple rootstocks under the current experimental conditions, which is probably attributed to more Cu retention in roots, subcellular partitioning, well-coordinated antioxidant defense mechanisms and transcriptional expression of genes involved in Cu uptake, translocation and detoxification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hanfu apple is the main cultivar grown in the cool areas of Northeast, Northwest, and North China. Here, we proposed a chromosome-level Hanfu genome assembly using PacBio, Illumina and Hi-C sequencing data. The total contig length was 628.99 Mb, with scaffold and contig N50 sizes of 36.18 Mb and 1.25 Mb, respectively. The Hanfu genome had a total of 39,617 genes, of which we predicted the function for 38,816. Evolutionary analysis showed that Hanfu may have undergone a γ-event, a recent whole-genome duplication. A comparative analysis was conducted on the genomes of Hanfu and homozygous triploid HFTH1, which were cultured using the anthers of diploid Hanfu apples. Three variants were identified, including 2,155,184 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 413,108 insertions/deletions (indels), and 7,587 structural variants (SVs).This high-quality genome will provide a reference for the genetic improvement of apples and the breeding of more varieties with high resistance and high quality. • De novo assembly of a chromosome-level apple genome. • The evolutionary relationship between different apple species was analyzed. • Whole-genome duplication events was analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mounting evidence showed that insula contributed to the neurobiological mechanism of suicidal behaviors in bipolar disorder (BD). However, no studies have analyzed the dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) of insular Mubregions and its association with personality traits in BD with suicidal behaviors. Therefore, we investigated the alterations of dFC variability in insular subregions and personality characteristics in BD patients with a recent suicide attempt (SA). Methods: Thirty unmedicated BD patients with SA, 38 patients without SA (NSA) and 35 demographically matched healthy controls (HCs) were included. The sliding-window analysis was used to evaluate whole-brain dFC for each insular subregion seed. We assessed between-group differences of psychological characteristics on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2. Finally, a multivariate regression model was adopted to predict the severity of suicidality. Results: Compared to NSA and HCs, the SA group exhibited decreased dFC variability values between the left dorsal anterior insula and the left anterior cerebellum. These dFC variability values could also be utilized to predict the severity of suicidality (r = 0.456, p = 0.031), while static functional connectivity values were not appropriate for this prediction. Besides, the SA group scored significantly higher on the schizophrenia clinical scales (p < 0.001) compared with the NSA group. Conclusions: Our findings indicated that the dysfunction of insula–cerebellum connectivity may underlie the neural basis of SA in BD patients, and highlighted the dFC variability values could be considered a neuromarker for predictive models of the severity of suicidality. Moreover, the psychiatric features may increase the vulnerability of suicidal behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated structural and functional changes of the hippocampus in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). However, no studies have analyzed the dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) of hippocampal subregions in melancholic MDD. We aimed to reveal the patterns for dFC variability in hippocampus subregions – including the bilateral rostral and caudal areas and its associations with cognitive impairment in melancholic MDD. Methods: Forty-two treatment-naive MDD patients with melancholic features and 55 demographically matched healthy controls were included. The sliding-window analysis was used to evaluate whole-brain dFC for each hippocampal subregions seed. We assessed between-group differences in the dFC variability values of each hippocampal subregion in the whole brain and cognitive performance on the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB). Finally, association analysis was conducted to investigate their relationships. Results: Patients with melancholic MDD showed decreased dFC variability between the left rostral hippocampus and left anterior lobe of cerebellum compared with healthy controls (voxel p < 0.005, cluster p < 0.0125, GRF corrected), and poorer cognitive scores in working memory, verbal learning, visual learning, and social cognition (all p < 0.05). Association analysis showed that working memory was positively correlated with the dFC variability values of the left rostral hippocampus-left anterior lobe of the cerebellum (r = 0.338, p = 0.029) in melancholic MDD. Conclusions: These findings confirmed the distinct dynamic functional pathway of hippocampal subregions in patients with melancholic MDD, and suggested that the dysfunction of hippocampus-cerebellum connectivity may be underlying the neural substrate of working memory impairment in melancholic MDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) is used for investigation of the electromechanical behavior of the head‐to‐head (H‐H) and tail‐to‐tail (T‐T) domain walls on the non‐polar surfaces of three uniaxial ferroelectric materials with different crystal structures: LiNbO3, Pb5Ge3O11, and ErMnO3. It is shown that, contrary to the common expectation that the domain walls should not exhibit any PFM response on the non‐polar surface, an out‐of‐plane deformation of the crystal at the H‐H and T‐T domain walls occurs even in the absence of the out‐of‐plane polarization component due to a specific form of the piezoelectric tensor. In spite of their different symmetry, in all studied materials, the dominant contribution comes from the counteracting shear strains on both sides of the H‐H and T‐T domain walls. The finite element analysis approach that takes into account a contribution of all elements in the piezoelectric tensor, is applicable to any ferroelectric material and can be instrumental for getting a new insight into the coupling between the electromechanical and electronic properties of the charged ferroelectric domain walls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Little is known about the pathogenesis underlying cognitive impairment in major depressive disorder (MDD). We aimed to explore the mechanisms of cognitive impairments among patients with MDD by investigating the dynamics of overlapping brain sub-networks.Methods: Forty unmedicated patients with MDD and 28 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled in this study. Cognitive function was measured using the Chinese versions of MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB). All participants were scanned using a whole-head resting-state magnetoencephalography (MEG) machine. The dynamism of neural sub-networks was analyzed based on the detection of overlapping communities in five frequency bands of oscillatory brain signals.Results: MDD demonstrated poorer cognitive performance in six domains compared to HC. The difference in community detection (functional integration mode) in MDD was frequency-dependent. MDD showed significantly decreased community dynamics in all frequency bands compared to HC. Specifically, differences in the visual network (VN) and default mode network (DMN) were detected in all frequency bands, differences in the cognitive control network (CCN) were detected in the alpha2 and beta frequency bands, and differences in the bilateral limbic network (BLN) were only detected in the beta frequency band. Moreover, community dynamics in the alpha2 frequency band were positively correlated with verbal learning and reasoning problem solving abilities in MDD.Conclusions: Our study found that decreasing in the dynamics of overlapping sub-networks may differ by frequency bands. The aberrant dynamics of overlapping neural sub-networks revealed by frequency-specific MEG signals may provide new information on the mechanism of cognitive impairments that result from MDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The underlying neurobiological mechanisms on suicidal behavior in bipolar disorder remain unclear. We aim to explore the mechanisms of suicide by detecting dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) of corticostriatal circuitry and cognition in depressed bipolar II disorder (BD II) with recent suicide attempt (SA).Methods: We analyzed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from 68 depressed patients with BD-II (30 with SA and 38 without SA) and 35 healthy controls (HCs). The whole-brain dFC variability of corticostriatal circuitry was calculated using a sliding-window analysis. Their correlations with cognitive dysfunction were further detected. Support vector machine (SVM) classification tested the potential of dFC to differentiate BD-II with SA from HCs.Results: Increased dFC variability between the right vCa and the right insula was found in SA compared to non-SA and HCs, and negatively correlated with speed of processing. Decreased dFC variability between the left dlPu and the right postcentral gyrus was found in non-SA compared to SA and HCs, and positively correlated with reasoning problem-solving. Both SA and non-SA exhibited decreased dFC variability between the right dCa and the left MTG, and between the right dlPu and the right calcarine when compared to HCs. SVM classification achieved an accuracy of 75.24 % and AUC of 0.835 to differentiate SA from non-SA, while combining the abnormal dFC features between SA and non-SA.Conclusions: Aberrant dFC variability of corticostriatal circuitry may serve as potential neuromarker for SA in BD-II, which might help to discriminate suicidal BD-II patients from non-suicidal patients and HCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: The M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are independent prognostic factors in melanoma.Methods: We performed weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify the module most correlated with M2-like TAMs. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) patients were classified into two clusters that differed based on prognosis and biological function, with consensus clustering. A prognostic model was established based on the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of the two clusters. We investigated the difference in immune cell infiltration and immune response-related gene expression between the high and low risk score groups.Results: The risk score was defined as an independent prognostic value in melanoma. VARS1 was a hub gene in the M2-like macrophage-associated WGCNA module that the DepMap portal demonstrated was necessary for melanoma growth. Overexpressing VARS1 in vitro increased melanoma cell migration and invasion, while downregulating VARS1 had the opposite result. VARS1 overexpression promoted M2 macrophage polarization and increased TGF-β1 concentrations in tumor cell supernatant in vitro. VARS1 expression was inversely correlated with immune-related signaling pathways and the expression of several immune checkpoint genes. In addition, the VARS1 expression level helped predict the response to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Pan-cancer analysis demonstrated that VARS1 expression negatively correlated with CD8 T cell infiltration and the immune response-related pathways in most cancers.Conclusion: We established an M2-like TAM-related prognostic model for melanoma and explored the role of VARS1 in melanoma progression, M2 macrophage polarization, and the development of immunotherapy resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. To explore the effect of Shenkang injection (SKI) combined with Jinshuibao for early diabetic nephropathy (DN) and its effect on the coagulation fibrinolysis system and urinary protein. Methods. 136 patients with early DN admitted to our hospital from March 2018 to October 2019 were divided into the observation group (n = 68) and the control group (n = 68) randomly. On the basis of the conventional treatment, the control group was treated with SKI, and the observation group was treated with SKI and Jinshuibao. Two weeks later, the therapeutic effects of the 2 groups were compared. The prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen (FIB), tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and D-dimer (D-D) were observed and compared before and after the treatment. 24 hour urine total protein (24 h-UTP), urine albumin excretion rate (UAER), and urine β2 microglobulin (β2-MG) were measured and compared before and after the treatment. Adverse reactions in the two groups were recorded during the treatment. Results. The effective rate of the observation group after treatment was 92.65% higher than the control group 79.41%. the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The levels of PT, APTT, TT, FIB, PAI-1, and D-D in the two groups after treatment were lower, and t-PA levels after treatment were higher than those before, and all of the above indicators were significantly changed in the observation group than in the control group. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The 24 h-UTP, UAER, and β2-MG in the two groups after treatment were lower than those before, and all of the above indicators were significantly changed in the observation group than in the control group. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference during the treatment for 2 groups in terms of adverse reactions. The difference was statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion. SKI combined with Jinshuibao has a significant effect in the treatment of early DN, which can reduce the risk of hyperfunction of coagulation and fibrinolysis system, further reduce the content of urine protein, and delay the process of DN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cognitive impairment has been acknowledged as a core clinical manifestation of bipolar disorder (BD) as well as major depressive disorder (MDD). Determining the prevalence and characteristics of cognitive impairment is important for clinical interventions. This study investigated the prevalence and characteristics of cognitive impairment based on the Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition Schizophrenia Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) in both BD and MDD.Method: One hundred and forty-nine BD II depression, 147 MDD, and 124 demographically matched healthy controls (HC) underwent MCCB cognitive assessment. The prevalence of MCCB cognitive impairment and group difference comparisons were performed. Additionally, association analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between cognitive performance and clinical variables.Results: Compared to the HC group, both BD II depression and MDD groups had a significantly reduced performance for all MCCB cognitive domains (all p < 0.05). The numerical scores for visual learning were lower in the BD II depression group compared to the MDD group. 32.89% of the BD II depression patients had clinically significant impairment (>1.5 SD below the normal mean) in two or more MCCB domains compared to 23.13% for MDD patients.Conclusions: A high percent of patients in the BD II depression and MDD group exhibited MCCB cognitive impairments with clinical significance. Cognitive impairments were more common in BD II depression patients compared to MDD patients, particularly for visual learning. These findings suggest that clinicians should be aware of the severe cognitive impairment in mood disorders and establish effective cognitive screening and intervention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]