Search

Abstract Developing effective electrocatalysts for the nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) is a promising alternative to conventional industrial ammonia (NH3) synthesis. Herein, starting from a flexible laser‐induced graphene (LIG) film with hierarchical and interconnected macroporous architecture, a binder‐free and free‐standing Ru‐modified LIG electrode (Ru‐LIG) is fabricated for electrocatalytic NO3RR via a facile electrodeposition method. The relationship between the laser‐scribing parameters and the NO3RR performance of Ru‐LIG electrodes is studied in‐depth. At −0.59 VRHE, the Ru‐LIG electrode exhibited the optimal and stable NO3RR performance (NH3 yield rate of 655.9 µg cm−2 h−1 with NH3 Faradaic efficiency of up to 93.7%) under a laser defocus setting of +2 mm and an applied laser power of 4.8 W, outperforming most of the reported NO3RR electrodes operated under similar conditions. The optimized laser‐scribing parameters promoted the surface properties of LIG with increased graphitization degree and decreased charge‐transfer resistance, leading to synergistically improved Ru electrodeposition with more exposed NO3RR active sites. This work not only provides a new insight to enhance the electrocatalytic NO3RR performance of LIG‐based electrodes via the coordination with metal electrocatalysts as well as identification of the critical laser‐scribing parameters but also will inspire the rational design of future advanced laser‐induced electrocatalysts for NO3RR.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common tumor in men globally. Its etiology has been attributed to multiple factors, including age and ethnicity, with family history identified as a significant risk factor. The role of family history in prostate cancer risk appears to be more extensive than previously thought, with evidence suggesting that prostate cancer and breast cancer may occur concurrently within families. BRCA2 mutations have been linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer, particularly in patients diagnosed with early-onset disease. It is estimated that BRCA2 mutations account for approximately 5% of familial prostate cancer cases. It is noteworthy that cases of prostate cancer in patients with BRCA2 mutations are rare in clinical practice. Here we report a case of prostatitis carcinoma with a mutation in the BRCA2 gene in a patient who underwent robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy for prostatitis carcinoma after medication was not effective. Genetic testing of him, his son, and his daughter showed that they all had mutations in this gene, and it is noteworthy that the type of BRCA2 mutation in his son has never been reported before, which is rare in clinical practice.

Abstract Background Plantlets grown in vitro with a mixed nitrogen source utilize sucrose and CO2 as carbon sources for growth. However, it is very difficult to obtain the correct utilization proportions of nitrate, ammonium, sucrose and CO2 for plantlets. Consequently, the biological effect of ammonium/nitrate utilization, the biological effect of sucrose/CO2 utilization, and the ammonium/nitrate use efficiency for new C input derived from CO2 assimilation/sucrose utilization are still unclear for plantlets. Results The bidirectional stable nitrogen isotope tracer technique quantified the proportions of assimilated nitrate and ammonium in Brassica napus plantlets grown at different ammonium/nitrate ratios. The utilization proportions of sucrose and CO2 could be quantified by a two end-member isotope mixing model for Bn plantlets grown at different ammonium/nitrate ratios. Under the condition that each treatment contained 20 mM ammonium, the proportion of assimilated nitrate did not show a linear increase with increasing nitrate concentration for Bn plantlets. Moreover, the proportion of assimilated CO2 did not show a linear relationship with the nitrate concentration for Bn plantlets. Increasing the nitrate concentration contributed to promoting the assimilation of ammonium and markedly enhanced the ammonium utilization coefficient for Bn plantlets. With increasing nitrate concentration, the amount of nitrogen in leaves derived from nitrate assimilation increased gradually, while the nitrate utilization coefficient underwent no distinct change for Bn plantlets. Conclusions Quantifying the utilization proportions of nitrate and ammonium can reveal the energy efficiency for N assimilation in plantlets grown in mixed N sources. Quantifying the utilization proportion of CO2 contributes to evaluating the photosynthetic capacity of plantlets grown with variable ammonium/nitrate ratios. Quantifying the utilization proportions of nitrate, ammonium, sucrose and CO2 can reveal the difference in the ammonium/nitrate use efficiency for new C input derived from CO2 assimilation/sucrose utilization for plantlets grown at variable ammonium/nitrate ratios.

Abstract Laryngeal disease classification is a relatively hard task in medical image processing resulting from its complex structures and varying viewpoints in data collection. Some existing methods try to tackle this task via the convolutional neural network, but they more or less ignore the intrinsic difficulty differences among different input samples and suffer from high training complexity. In order to better resolve these problems, an end-to-end Hierarchical Dynamic Convolutional Network (HDCNet) is proposed, which can dynamically process the input samples based on their difficulty. For the easy-classified samples, the HDCNet processes them with a smaller resolution and a relatively small network, while the difficult samples are passed to a large network with a larger resolution for more accurate classification results. Furthermore, a Feature Reuse Module (FRM) is designed to transfer the features learned by the small network to the corresponding block in the deep network to enhance the overall performance of some rather complicated samples. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed HDCNet, comprehensive experiments are conducted on the public available laryngeal disease classification dataset and HDCNet provides superior performances compared with other current state-of-the-art methods.

Abstract Objective To compare the recurrence rate of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) after treatment with 0.3 mg vs. 0.25 mg ranibizumab. Subjects All patients with ROP who underwent intravitreal injection of ranibizumab in Hainan General Hospital between January 2014 and May 2020 were included in this retrospective study. Methods Eighty-two cases (146 eyes) who received intravitreal injection of 0.25 mg ranibizumab were included in the conventional-dose group, and 59 cases (108 eyes) who received intravitreal injection of 0.3 mg ranibizumab were included in the high-dose group. The two groups were further divided into the 25-28-week, 29-31-week, 32-34-week, and 35-36-week GA subgroups. The differences between the conventional-dose group and the high-dose group in gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW), age at initial injection (weeks), incidence of systemic diseases, the recurrence rate of ROP, and age at retinal vascularization completed (weeks) were analyzed. Results GA, BW, age at initial injection, and the incidence of systemic diseases were not significantly different between the conventional-dose group and the high-dose group (p > 0.05). The recurrence rates of ROP were significantly lower in the 25-28-week, 29-31-week, and 32-34-week subgroups of the high-dose group than in the same subgroups of the conventional-dose group (p 0.05). Retinal vascularization was completed at a later age in the 32-34-week subgroup of the high-dose group than in the 32-34-week subgroup of the conventional-dose group (p 0.05). No severe ocular or systemic complications occurred in any patient. Conclusion Treatment with 0.3 mg ranibizumab can reduce the recurrence rate of ROP without prolonging retinal vascularization or causing serious systemic complications. Therefore, this dose may be an appropriate therapeutic dose for ROP.

IntroductionFlaxseed oil (FO) and vitamin E (VE) both have antioxidant effects on sperm. The present study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with FO and/or VE on semen quality.Methods16 fertile Simmental bulls were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 4): the control group (control diet), FO group (control diet containing 24 g/kg FO), VE group (control diet containing 150 mg/kg VE) and FOVE group (control diet containing 150 mg/kg VE and 24 g/kg FO), and the trial lasted 10 weeks.ResultsThe results showed that the addition of FO independently can increase sperm motion parameters, the levels of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2), while reduce oxidative stress in seminal plasma (P < 0.05). Supplement of VE independently can increased the motility, motility parameters, CAT and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, and reduce oxidative stress in seminal plasma (P < 0.05). There was an interaction effect of FO × VE on motility and reactive oxygen species (ROS), while GSH-Px and ROS were affected by week × VE 2-way interaction, levels of T and E2 were also affected by the dietary FO × week interaction (P < 0.05). The triple interaction effects of FO, VE and week were significant for malondialdehyde (MDA) (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, sperm from the FOVE group had a significantly higher in vitro fertilization (IVF) rate, and subsequent embryos had increased developmental ability with reduced ROS levels at the eight-cell stage, then increased adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content and gene expression levels of CAT, CDX2, Nanog, and SOD at the blastocyst stage (P < 0.05). Metabolomic and transcriptomic results indicated that dietary supplementation of FO and VE increased the expression of the metabolite aconitic acid, as well as the expression of ABAT and AHDHA genes.ConclusionWith in-silico analysis, it can be concluded that the effects of dietary FO and VE on improving semen quality and embryo development may be related to increased aconitic acid via the ABAT and AHDHA genes involved in the propionic acid metabolism pathway.

Melatonin has profound antioxidant activity and numerous functions in humans as well as in livestock and poultry. Additionally, melatonin plays an important role in regulating the biological rhythms of animals. Combining melatonin with scientific breeding management has considerable potential for optimizing animal physiological functions, but this idea still faces significant challenges. In this review, we summarized the beneficial effects of melatonin supplementation on physiology and reproductive processes in cattle, including granulosa cells, oocytes, circadian rhythm, stress, inflammation, testicular function, spermatogenesis, and semen cryopreservation. There is much emerging evidence that melatonin can profoundly affect cattle. In the future, we hope that melatonin can not only be applied to cattle, but can also be used to safely and effectively improve the efficiency of animal husbandry.

Poor growth is often observed in artificial young forests due to insufficient inorganic nitrogen in karst soils. However, little is known about the assimilatory demand of the whole plant for nitrate and the partitioning of nitrate assimilation in roots and leaves in woody plants grown in karst habitats. In this study, Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) Vent (B. papyrifera) seedlings were grown under nearly hydroponic conditions. The isotope mass balance approach was employed to quantify the δ15N values of the N assimilates in plant organs and in whole plants for B. papyrifera seedlings grown at different nitrate concentrations. The δ15N values of the N assimilates in the whole B. papyrifera seedlings showed a rising trend with increasing nitrate concentration. Increasing the supply of nitrate decreased the leaf–root difference in the δ15N values of the N assimilates for B. papyrifera seedlings. Quantifying the δ15N values of N assimilates in the whole B. papyrifera seedlings grown under different nitrate concentrations contributes to estimating the assimilatory demand of the B. papyrifera seedlings for nitrate. The leaf–root difference in the δ15N values of the N assimilates can be used to estimate the partitioning of nitrate assimilation in the roots and leaves.

Abstract Objective To ascertain whether en bloc resection could reduce the risk of seeding cancer cells into the circulation during the resection of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Methods Patients with primary NMIBC were enrolled in this prospective study from October 2017 to May 2018. Patients were allocated to receive conventional transurethral resection of the bladder (TURB) or retrograde en bloc resection technique of the bladder tumor (RERBT). Blood samples (1 ml) for circulating tumor cell (CTC) enumeration were drawn from the peripheral vein prior to resection (PV1), immediately after resection of the tumor base (PV2), and at 12 h after resection (PV3). Intra-group comparisons of the changes in the number of CTCs identified among the PV1, PV2, and PV3 blood samples were performed in each group. Results A total of 21 patients (12 in the RERBT group and 9 in the TURB group) were recruited. For patients receiving TURB, the level of CTCs identified in PV3 was significantly higher than that in PV1 (p = 0.047). However, there was no significant difference in CTC counts before and after resection in the RERBT group. Conclusion RERBT did not increase the number of tumor cells in the bloodstream.

Abstract Background The primary sources of nitrogen for plants have been suggested to be nitrate (NO3 −) and ammonium (NH4 +). However, when both nitrate and ammonium are simultaneously available to plants, it is very difficult to differentially quantify NO3 −/NH4 + utilization in culture media or soil. Consequently, the contribution of NO3 −/NH4 + to total inorganic nitrogen assimilation cannot be determined. Results We developed a method called the bidirectional stable nitrogen isotope tracer to differentially quantify the nitrate and ammonium utilization by Orychophragmus violaceus (Ov) and Brassica napus (Bn) plantlets in vitro. The utilization efficiency of nitrate was markedly lower than the utilization efficiency of ammonium for plantlets of both Ov and Bn. In both Ov and Bn, the proportion of NO3 −/NH4 + utilization did not show a linear relationship with inorganic nitrogen supply. The Ov plantlets assimilated more nitrate than the Bn plantlets at the lowest inorganic nitrogen concentration. Conclusions Quantifying the utilization of nitrate and ammonium can reveal the differences in nitrate and ammonium assimilation among plants at different inorganic nitrogen supply levels and provide an alternate way to conveniently optimize the supply of inorganic nitrogen in culture media.

In this study, a spring–mass physical model is proposed to study the complex band structure of a one-dimensional parity-time (PT)-symmetric local resonant phononic crystal. By solving the kinetic equations, the analytical solutions of the dispersion relation and effective mass are obtained. As is known, the infinite effective mass would appear at the resonant frequency in a Hermitian system without any gain or loss. Once the balanced gain and loss are added to form a PT-symmetric system, the infinite effective mass would become finite, and the exceptional points can be observed in the subwavelength realm. With the increase in gain and loss, exceptional points would coalesce and form a higher order one. The numerical simulations in a practical structure agree well with the analytical analysis. In addition, the simulated transmission/reflection spectrum and field distribution clearly demonstrate the anisotropic transmission resonances. Our investigation enriches the physical connotation of local resonant phononic crystals in non-Hermitian systems.

Abstract Background Doyne honeycomb retinal dystrophy (DHRD)/malattia leventinese (ML) is a rare allelic condition with massive drusen in the posterior fundus caused by EFEMP1 gene mutation. Patients showed decreased vision when the lesion affected the macular area. At present, the treatment efficiency is not satisfactory. Case presentation In this study, we presented a family with DHRD/ML disease and analyzed the pathological and genetic information. A 28-year-old female patient presented to our department due to impaired visual acuity for 10 years especially in the right eye with deterioration for 5 months. Gene sequencing was performed by MyGenostics (Peking, China). Gene sequencing results revealed heterozygous mutations in EFEMP1 gene, which were consistent with the DHRD/ ML. Single heterozygous mutation (c.1033C > T) was observed in each of the three blood samples. This missense mutation triggered p.R345W. Conclusions DHRD/ML is a rare disease associated with EFEMP1 gene mutation. Up to now, we are not sure whether these lesions are associated with the onset of DHRD/ML. In future, we hope to find out the exact relationship between them.

Background/objective: Previous studies have shown that MPO -463G > A (rs2333227) might be associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) susceptibility, but sample sizes of those studies are relatively small. Hence, we decided to perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the association. Methods/main results: Two investigators search databases systematically and independently. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were used to pool the effect size. Four articles with 618 cases and 932 controls in total were included in our meta-analysis. Conclusions: MPO -463G > A was not associated with CKD susceptibility in recessive model and homozygote comparison. MPO -463G > A was associated with increased risk of CKD in allelic comparison, heterozygote comparison and dominant model, however, the results lacked stability. Owing to insufficient data, the association between MPO -463G > A and CKD cannot be fully confirmed.

Sulphurous acid derived from sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission leads to the pollution of irrigation water and the inhibition of plant growth. The safe concentration threshold of NaHSO3 in plants should be clarified to promote agricultural production. In this study, Orychophragmus violaceus seedlings were used as experimental materials and five NaHSO3 concentrations (i.e., 0, 1, 2, 5, 10 mmol·L−1) were simultaneously sprayed on the leaf surface of different seedlings separately. Leaf physiology responses under different concentrations were analyzed. The NaHSO3 did not promote photosynthesis in O. violaceus under the 1 and 2 mmol·L−1 treatments. It was conducive to the net photosynthetic rate (PN), photorespiration rate (Rp), chlorophyll content, actual photochemical quantum yield (YII) and photochemical quenching (qP) under the 5 mmol·L−1 treatment. However, quantum yield of regulated energy dissipation (YNPQ) and nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) were inhibited. Under the 10 mmol·L−1 treatment, PN, chlorophyll content, YII, qP, dark respiration rate (Rd) and electron transport rate (ETR) showed significant decreases, while the photorespiration portion (Sp) significantly increased. Our results demonstrated that NaHSO3 provided a sulfur source for plant growth and interfered with the redox reaction of the plant itself, and its role as a photorespiratory inhibitor might be masked.

It has been reported that the functional telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) rs2853669 polymorphism might contribute to different types of human cancer. However, the association of this mutation with cancer remains controversial. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis to characterize this relationship.A systematic search of studies on the association of TERT rs2853669 polymorphism with all types of cancer was conducted in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library. The summary odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were used to pool the effect size in a fixed-effects model or a random-effects model where appropriate. A total of 13 articles and 15 case-control studies, including 9,157 cases and 11,073 controls, were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, the pooled results indicated that the rs2853669 polymorphism was significantly associated with increased cancer risk in a homozygote comparison model (CT vs. TT: OR = 1.085, 95% CI: 1.015-1.159, P = 0.016). In the stratified analyses, a significant increased cancer risk was observed in Asian, but not Caucasian patients. A subgroup analysis by cancer type also revealed a significant increase in the risk of lung cancer, but not breast cancer.The results of this meta-analysis suggest that the TERT rs2853669 polymorphism is associated with a significantly increased risk of cancer, particularly lung cancer, in Asian populations.

To determine whether the bicarbonate in karst limestone soil could be used as a new carbon resource for biomass production by the catalysis of carbonic anhydrase (CA), a simulative karst drought stress experiment was designed and performed. Three plants used for biofuel energy, Orychophragmus violaceus L. (Ov), Brassica juncea L. (Bj), and Euphorbia lathyris L. (El), were grown under simulated karst drought stress. In response to drought stress, the photosynthesis of the three energy plants was inhibited, but their CA activity increased. The hypothesis was confirmed by plant physiological and stable isotope techniques. The obtained results showed that plant biomass was produced with atmospheric CO2 as well as bicarbonate under drought stress. Bicarbonate use was proportional to the CA activity of the plants. With high CA activity over a long period, El had the highest proportional bicarbonate use compared to Ov and Bj, reaching 26.95%. Additionally, a new method is proposed for the screening of plants grown for energy in karst habitats.

The ancient Hebrew creation myth contains a time-dominant view of time-space, which creates time first and then space, and runs through space with time. In Hebrew creation myths and ancestral divinity narratives, the spatial points of Eden and Canaan hold significant structural importance. But overall, time plays an even more central role in these narratives, reflecting the time-dominant thinking characteristic of Hebrew ancestors. The formation of this perspective is deeply related to the specific geographical environment in which the ancient Hebrews lived, their nomadic economy, fluid settlement patterns, and long history of migration and wandering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]