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Al–Cu–Li alloys have shown great potential for aerospace application due to their good combination of high strength and low density, but their high planar anisotropy have always hindered their application. In the present work, the influence of different deformation processes, including hot rolling (HR), cold rolling (CR), hot rolling + cold rolling (HR + CR), hot rolling + intermediate annealing + cold rolling (HR + IA + CR) on the microstructure and property anisotropy is systematically investigated for a 2195 Al–Cu–Li alloy. Among the four rolling processes, the HR sample exhibits the lowest yield strength, the highest elongation and the highest anisotropy level. The CR and HR + CR samples have a higher yield strength, decreased elongation and anisotropy level. While the HR + IA + CR sample achieves the combination high yield strength, good elongation and the lowest anisotropy level. The different rolling processes can affect the number density and size of the coarse Al7Cu2Fe phase (>1 μm), which can promote the recrystallization by PSN mechanism. As the number density of Al7Cu2Fe phase in the four samples follow: HR + IA + CR > CR > HR + CR > HR. The HR + IA + CR sample with the highest PSN particles density exhibits highest level of recrystallization and random texture distribution, giving rise to the low anisotropy of the alloy. The low number density of PSN particle and the occurrence of dynamic recrystallization suppress the recrystallization of the HR sample during solution treatment, resulting in strong anisotropy of the alloy. These results can provide key information for optimizing the mechanical properties of Al–Cu–Li alloys for aerospace applications.

Abstract. Background:. Without timely and effective rehabilitation, hearing loss may profoundly affect human life quality. China has a large population of hearing-impaired individuals, which imposes a heavy health burden on society. Moreover, this population is projected to increase rapidly owing to China’s aging society. Methods:. We used data from a population-representative epidemiological investigation of hearing loss and ear diseases in four Chinese provinces. We estimated the national prevalence using multiple linear regression of the age-group proportions and prevalence in 31 provinces with clustering analysis. We used years lived with disability (YLDs) to analyze the disease burden and forecasted the prevalence of hearing loss by 2060 in China. Results:. An estimated 115 million people had moderate-to-complete hearing loss in 2015 across the 31 provinces of China (8.4% of 1.37 billion people). Of these, 85.7% were older than age 50 years (99 million people) and 2.4% were younger than 20 years old (2.8 million people). Of all YLDs attributable to hearing loss, 68.9% were attributable to moderate-to-complete cases. By 2060, a projected 242 million people in China will have moderate-to-complete hearing loss, a 110.0% increase from 2015. Conclusions:. The hearing loss prevalence in China is high. Population aging and socioeconomic factors substantially affect the prevalence and severity of hearing loss and the disease burden. The prevalence and severity of hearing loss are unevenly distributed across different provinces. Future public health policies should take these trends and regional variations into account.

Abstract Argali stands as the largest species among wild sheep in Central and East Asia, with a concerning rate of decline estimated at 30%. The intraspecific taxonomy of argali remains contentious due to limited genomic data and unclear geographic separation. In this study, we constructed a chromosome-level genome assembly and annotation for the Tibetan argali (O. a. hodgsoni), together with population genomic resequencing of 32 individuals representing four subspecies. The contig-level genome was 2.64 Gb in size, with a contig N50 length of 71.69 Mb and an estimated genomic completeness of 96.01%. Using Hi-C sequencing data scaffolding, 99.90% of initially assembled sequences were mapped and oriented onto 28 pseudo-chromosomes except the Y chromosome. Annotation uncovered 21,564 protein-coding genes and 46.38% repeat sequences. The average coverage of the population resequencing data was 23.74 with mean mapping ratio up to of 97.19%. The high-quality genome assembly and annotation of the Tibetan argali, coupled with the high-depth population genomic data, will serve as a valuable genetic resource for studies on the taxonomy and conservation of argali.

Abstract Background As a popularly used analgesic adjuvant, intravenous (IV) lidocaine could reduce the consumption of propofol in painless gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. However, whether IV lidocaine could affect the incidence of oxygen-desaturation episodes (ODE) during painless GI endoscopy is still unknown. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that IV lidocaine could decrease the incidence of propofol-induced ODE and involuntary movements in patients during GI endoscopy. Methods Three hundred twenty-two patients scheduled for GI endoscopy were randomly divided into lidocaine group and control group. After midazolam and sufentanil injection, a bolus of 1.5 mg/kg lidocaine was given and followed by continuous infusion of 4 mg/kg/h in lidocaine group, whereas the same volumes of saline solution in control group. Then, propofol was titrated to produce unconsciousness. The primary outcome was the incidence of ODE during the procedure. The secondary outcomes were the incidence of different degree of hypoxia and corresponding treatments and the involuntary body movements. Results A total of 300 patients were finally included in the analysis, 147 patients in lidocaine group and 153 in control group. The incidence of ODE was 22% in lidocaine group and 39% in control group (OR:0.052; 95%CI: 0.284–0.889; P = 0.018). IV lidocaine also improved the occurrence of different degree of hypoxia (P = 0.017) and needed few treatments (P = 0.028). The incidence of involuntary body movements (14% vs 26%, P = 0.013) and adverse circulatory events was decreased by IV lidocaine. Conclusions IV lidocaine adjuvant to propofol-based sedation could reduce the incidence of oxygen-desaturation episodes and involuntary body movements, with fewer adverse circulatory events. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2100053818. Registered on 30 November 2021.

Abstract “Exercise is medicine” emphasizes personalized prescriptions for better efficacy. Current guidelines need more support for personalized prescriptions, posing scientific challenges. Facing those challenges, we gathered data from established guidelines, databases, and articles to develop the Exercise Medicine Ontology (EXMO), intending to offer comprehensive support for personalized exercise prescriptions. EXMO was constructed using the Ontology Development 101 methodology, incorporating Open Biological and Biomedical Ontology Foundry principles. EXMO v1.0 comprises 434 classes and 9,732 axioms, encompassing physical activity terms, health status terms, exercise prescription terms, and other related concepts. It has successfully undergone expert evaluation and consistency validation using the ELK and JFact reasoners. EXMO has the potential to provide a much-needed standard for individualized exercise prescription. Beyond prescription standardization, EXMO can also be an excellent tool for supporting databases and recommendation systems. In the future, it could serve as a valuable reference for developing sub-ontologies and facilitating the formation of an ontology network.

The Internet of Vehicles (IoV) has great potential for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), enabling interactive vehicle applications, such as advanced driving and infotainment. It is crucial to ensure the reliability during the vehicle-to-vehicle interaction process. Although the emerging blockchain has superiority in handling security-related issues, existing blockchain-based schemes show weakness in highly dynamic IoV. Both the transaction broadcast and consensus process require multiple rounds of communication throughout the whole network, while the high relative speed between vehicles and dynamic topology resulting in the intermittent connections will degrade the efficiency of blockchain. In this paper, we propose a Digital Twin (DT)-enabled blockchain framework for dynamic IoV, which aims to reduce both the communication cost and the operational latency of blockchain. To address the dynamic context, we propose a DT construction strategy that jointly considers the DT migration and blockchain computing consumption. Moreover, a communication-efficient Local Perceptual Multi-Agent Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (LPMA-DDPG) algorithm is designed to execute the DT construction strategy among edge servers in a decentralized manner. The simulation results show that the proposed framework can greatly reduce the communication cost, while achieving good security performance. The dynamic DT construction strategy shows superiority in operation latency compared with benchmark strategies. The decentralized LPMA-DDPG algorithm is helpful for implementing the optimal DT construction strategy in practical ITS.

Abstract Background Chronic inflammatory pain is a pervasive condition, and electroacupuncture (EA) is an effective treatment, but its mechanisms are not fully understood. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a key energy sensor, is involved in pain relief and EA’s effects. EA may work by increasing endocannabinoids, upregulating CB2 receptors (CB2R), and stimulating β-endorphin (β-END). This study tests if EA activates AMPK via CB2R to modulate β-END and reduce pain. Methods The inflammatory pain model was established with Complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA), and EA was administered daily for six consecutive days, targeting the acupoints “Zusanli” (ST36) and “Shangjuxu” (ST37). Pain sensitivity was evaluated using Von Frey filaments for mechanical thresholds and a hot plate for thermal thresholds. Ultra-high Performance Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was used to quantitatively determine the levels of endocannabinoids 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and anandamide (AEA). The expression levels of the CB2R and β-END were measured by Western blotting, along with the activation of AMPK. Immunofluorescence double-labeling was applied to visualize AMPK activation and β-END expression within CD68-positive macrophages. The study encompassed both wild-type and CB2R gene knockout mice, elucidating the role of CB2R in EA-induced AMPK activation. Results CFA-induced inflammatory pain model mice exhibited mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. EA activated AMPK in the inflamed skin tissue when it exerted analgesic effect on the inflammatory pain. Pre-administration of the AMPK inhibitor Compound C significantly inhibited the effect of EA on pain relief. EA elevated β-END expression in inflamed skin tissue, which was reversed by Compound C, indicating that AMPK has a regulatory role in EA inducing β-END expression. In addition, EA significantly upregulated the levels of 2-AG, AEA and the expression of CB2Rs in the inflamed skin tissue compared with the CFA group. In wild-type mice, EA activates AMPK in macrophages, while CB2 knockout reduced EA's ability to activate AMPK in these cells. Conclusion EA activates AMPK through CB2R, enhancing β-END expression in inflamed skin to alleviate inflammatory pain. This study reveals a new link between endocannabinoids, endorphins, and AMPK in analgesic effects of EA, highlighting the CB2R-AMPK-β-END pathway.

Patients with oligometastatic cancer (OMC) exhibit better response to local therapeutic interventions and a more treatable tendency than those with polymetastatic cancers. However, studies on OMC are limited and lack effective integration for systematic comparison and personalized application, and the diagnosis and precise treatment of OMC remain controversial. The application of large language models in medicine remains challenging because of the requirement of high-quality medical data. Moreover, these models must be enhanced using precise domain-specific knowledge. Therefore, we developed the OligoM-Cancer platform (http://oligo.sysbio.org.cn), pioneering knowledge curation that depicts various aspects of oligometastases spectrum, including markers, diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy choices. A user-friendly website was developed using HTML, FLASK, MySQL, Bootstrap, Echarts, and JavaScript. This platform encompasses comprehensive knowledge and evidence of phenotypes and their associated factors. With 4059 items of literature retrieved, OligoM-Cancer includes 1345 valid publications and 393 OMC-associated factors. Additionally, the included clinical assistance tools enhance the interpretability and credibility of clinical translational practice. OligoM-Cancer facilitates knowledge-guided modeling for deep phenotyping of OMC and potentially assists large language models in supporting specialised oligometastasis applications, thereby enhancing their generalization and reliability.

Comparative study of languages reflects the coexistence of the universal and the particular in human languages. The development of both typological linguistics and contrastive linguistics is primarily associated with the study of structural similarities and differences between languages based on structural criteria for comparison. However, cognitive operations and forms of thinking that characterize the structural organization of expressed thoughts are fundamental mechanisms governing the functioning of various languages. In this study, a comparative analysis is presented as of the structural features of Russian subjectpredicate sentences and Chinese topic-comment sentences. Special attention is paid to different forms of thinking (rational and figurative) that underlie the differences in language structure between the two languages, as well as various cognitive processes (recognizing analogies and associations) that shape vertical and horizontal categorization, resulting in differences in thought patterns. As a result of the conducted study, the authors conclude that the form of thinking determines the form of language structure. The formation and functioning of different forms of language structure are operations and reflections of different forms of thinking in various language structures. Rational and figurative thinking, with their respective characteristics, limit and define the structural forms of Russian and Chinese languages. At the sentence level, it manifests basic structures both in Russian where the basic sentence structure is “subject-predicate,” while in Chinese it is “topic-comment.”.

Abstract Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane vesicles originating from different cells within the brain. The pathophysiological role of EVs in neurodegenerative diseases is progressively acknowledged. This field has advanced from basic biological research to essential clinical significance. The capacity to selectively enrich specific subsets of EVs from biofluids via distinctive surface markers has opened new avenues for molecular understandings across various tissues and organs, notably in the brain. In recent years, brain-derived EVs have been extensively investigated as biomarkers, therapeutic targets, and drug-delivery vehicles for neurodegenerative diseases. This review provides a brief overview of the characteristics and physiological functions of the various classes of EVs, focusing on the biological mechanisms by which various types of brain-derived EVs mediate the occurrence and development of neurodegenerative diseases. Concurrently, novel therapeutic approaches and challenges for the use of EVs as delivery vehicles are delineated.

Through the creation and characterization of novel poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA)-based nanocomposites containing graphene oxide (GO), nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (nano-HAP), and nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles, this study seeks to improve the performance of bone tissue scaffolds. Utilizing a casting procedure to create nanocomposites, wet chemical methods were used to synthesize nano-HAP. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the materials. The nanocomposite comprising 5 % GO + 5 % NiO + 10 % nano-HAP showed a 110 % increase in tensile modulus, a 38 % increase in extension, and a 29 % increase in load-bearing capacity compared to plain PLLA. The results showed a considerable increase in mechanical strength. On the surfaces of the nanocomposite, osteoblast adhesion and proliferation increased by 185 %, according to biological tests. Studies on degradation revealed regulated rates that matched bones' natural mending process while preserving a pH environment that was steady. According to these results, adding nanostructures to PLLA scaffolds improves their mechanical and biological properties considerably, which may lead to therapeutic uses in bone tissue engineering in the future.

Finding ibuprofen (IBF), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication that is frequently used for orthopaedic discomfort, is crucial in many different domains. This work presents a new colorimetric detection technique based on a nanocomposite of cobalt oxide (Co3O4) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The Co3O4/rGO nanocomposite exhibited increased activity similar to peroxidase, which made it easier to detect hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and IBF with a high degree of selectivity. The sensor displayed negligible interference from other compounds and a strong selectivity towards IBF. For H2O2 detection, the sensor revealed a robust linear range correlation with a detection limit of about 0.325 μM within a range of 1 μM to 570 μM. The sensor exhibited a linear response for the detection of IBF between 1 μM and 1000 μM, with a detection limit of roughly 0.1 μM. Over the course of a month, the sensor's low relative standard deviation (RSD) of less than 4.25 % showed its long-term stability. Furthermore, in actual samples, the sensor demonstrated an average recovery rate for IBF ranging from 94.00 % to 99.66 %. According to the results, the Co3O4/rGO-based colorimetric sensor shows promise as a quick and effective way to detect IBF.

Abstract Previous research has established that the formation of Gardnerella vaginalis (GV) biofilm is one of the primary reasons for bacterial vaginosis (BV) recurrence. This study was the first to explore the impact of Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus, GBS) on GV biofilm in a co-culture scenario. The results revealed that GBS could significantly increased the GV biomass in 48-hours dual-species biofilms. The luxS gene of GBS was significantly higher in dual-species biofilm, while knockdown of the luxS gene resulted in a significant decrease in mono- and dual-species biofilms. Meanwhile, in vitro addition of AI-2 (product of luxS gene) substantially increased biofilm biomass. Furthermore, we found that the expression of two genes related to biofilm formation was notably elevated in GV after receiving AI-2 signals. Collectively, these findings suggest that GBS enhances GV biofilm formation via luxS/AI-2 in an in vitro co-culture model, which in turn may promotes recurrence of BV.

Abstract With the development of ultra‐high‐voltage (UHV) and extra‐high‐voltage transmission lines in China, the transmission lines are gradually approaching the residential areas. The phenomenon of induced electric shock caused by electrostatic induction effect can cause dissatisfaction and complaints from nearby residents. In this paper, a full‐size steel‐framed residential test platform was constructed near a 1000‐kV UHV alternating current (AC) transmission line, the transient shock characteristics of human bodies and metal hangers in different scenarios was investigated, then the relationship between transient shock energy and subjective perception of the human body was discussed. In addition, the shielding effect of shielding wires for transient electric shock situations is analyzed. It was found that the worst‐case scenario occurred when the grounded human body came into contact with the insulated metal clothes hanger, even eliciting a noticeable sensation of pain. In addition, increasing metal shielding wire number has a significant effect on weakening induced electric shocks.

Vibration is inevitable in operation of mechanical equipment, but severe vibrations will cause serious harm to wind turbines (WTs). This paper takes the drivetrain of 8 MW WT as the object, established a multi-body electromechanical coupling model of WT and verified the accuracy of the established model through the WT drivetrain in the laboratory. Subsequently, based on this model, time-frequency domain analysis was conducted on the vibration response of the WT drivetrain under different control strategies of the generator, and the influence of the generator control strategy on the vibration of the drivetrain was studied. The result shows that the generator control strategy has a significant impact on the vibration response amplitude of the drivetrain, but has a relatively small impact on the frequency component. Meanwhile, the sliding mode controller designed in this paper has good anti-interference ability, which can make the system quickly reach dynamic stability, and effectively suppress the vibration of the main components in the drivetrain. Under the new controller’s control, the transverse vibration displacement of some parts of the WT drivetrain can be reduced by up to nearly 60 %. This paper provides new ideas and new methods for the active vibration reduction control of WT drivetrain.

Abstract Background Continuous cropping of the same crop leads to land degradation. This is also called the continuous-cropping obstacle. Currently, intercropping tobacco with other crops can serve as an effective strategy to alleviate continuous cropping obstacles. Results In this study, tobacco K326 and insectary floral plants were used as materials, and seven treatments of tobacco monoculture (CK), tobacco intercropped with Tagetes erecta, Vicia villosa, Fagopyrum esculentum, Lobularia maritima, Trifolium repens, and Argyranthemum frutescens respectively, were set up to study their effects on rhizosphere soil chemical properties and composition and structure of rhizosphere soil microbial community of tobacco. The 16 S rRNA gene and ITS amplicons were sequenced using Illumina high-throughput sequencing. tobacco/insectary floral plants intercropping can influence rhizosphere soil chemical properties, which also change rhizosphere microbial communities. The CK and treatment groups tobacco rhizosphere soil microorganisms had significantly different genera, such as tobacco intercropping with T. repens and A. frutescens significantly increased the number of Fusarium and intercropping T. erecta, V. villosa, L. maritima, T. repens, and A. frutescens significantly increased the number of Sphingomonas and unknown Gemmatimonadaceae. Additionally, intercropping T. erecta, V. villosa and L. maritima changed the rhizosphere fungal and bacteria community and composition of tobacco and the positive correlation between tobacco rhizosphere the genera of fungi and bacterial were greater than CK. The pathway of the carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and energy metabolism in rhizosphere bacteria were significantly decreased after continuous cropping. Fungal symbiotic trophic and saprophytic trophic were significantly increased after intercropping V. villosa, L. maritima and plant pathogen and animal pathogen were increased after intercropping T. repens and A. frutescens. Additionally, bacterial and fungal communities significantly correlated with soil chemical properties, respectively. Conclusion This study reveals that intercropping tobacco with insectary floral plants, particularly T. erecta, V. villosa, L. maritima and A. frutescens significantly affects soil chemical properties and alters rhizosphere microbial communities, increasing the abundance of certain microbial genera. Additionally, intercropping enhances pathways related to carbohydrate, amino acid, and energy metabolism in rhizosphere bacteria. These findings suggest that intercropping could provide a promising strategy to overcome challenges associated with continuous tobacco cropping by regulating the rhizosphere environment.

Abstract Background Psychiatric nurses often encounter patients with mental health disorders and consequently experience prolonged periods of high stress, increased workload, and frequent incidents of workplace violence. These aspects can lead to a higher incidence of poor sleep quality. This study examined the interplay between workplace violence and emotional labour (surface and deep acting) to suggest measures for enhancing sleep quality among psychiatric nurses. Methods A total of 300 completed and valid online questionnaires were collected. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to measure sleep quality, Workplace Violence Scale (WVS) to measure the occurrence of workplace violence, and Emotional Labour Scale to measure surface and deep acting. The data were analysed using Hayes’ PROCESS macro with SPSS. Independent samples t-tests and one-way ANOVA were used to compare differences in sleep quality and emotional labour (surface and deep acting) between psychiatric nurses with different demographics. Results The prevalence of poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5) was 55% among the nurses. Surface acting in emotional labour partially mediated the relationship between workplace violence and sleep quality(a1*b1=0.035,95%CI: 0.002, 0.079), whereas deep acting had a suppressive effect(a2*b2=-0.033,95%CI: -0.071, -0.003). Occupational identity had a positive moderating effect on the relationship between workplace violence and surface acting(Effect=0.091,95%CI: 0.004, 0.179). Conclusions The relationship between workplace violence and poor sleep quality was partially mediated by surface acting and suppressed by deep acting. Moreover, nurses with higher occupational identity engaged in more surface acting after workplace violence. Workplace violence, surface acting, and deep acting emerged as significant factors influencing sleep quality among psychiatric nurses. Deep acting can reduce the impact of workplace violence on sleep quality. The results provide a new and expanded view of the interplay between workplace violence and emotional labour concerning sleep quality. Interprofessional collaboration with clinicians, administrators, educators, and spiritual leaders can contribute to the development of related education and training. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2200062347. https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=173264

Background/Aims Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA integration in HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC) can be targeted by HBV-specific T cells. SCG101 is an autologous, HBV-specific T-cell product expressing a T-cell receptor (TCR) after lentiviral transduction recognizing the envelope-derived peptide (S20-28) on HLA-A2. We here validated its safety and efficacy preclinically and applied it to an HBV-related HCC patient (NCT05339321). Methods Good Manufacturing Practice-grade manufactured cells were assessed for off-target reactivity and functionality against hepatoma cells. Subsequently, a patient with advanced HBV-HCC (Child-Pugh class A, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage B, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0, hepatitis B e antigen-, serum hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg]+, HBsAg+ hepatocytes 10%) received 7.9×107 cells/kg after lymphodepletion. Safety, T-cell persistence, and antiviral and antitumor efficacy were evaluated. Results SCG101, produced at high numbers in a closed-bag system, showed HBV-specific functionality against HBV-HCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Clinically, treatment was well tolerated, and all adverse events, including transient hepatic damage, were reversible. On day 3, ALT levels increased to 1,404 U/L, and concurrently, serum HBsAg started decreasing by 3.84 log10 and remained 70% reduction in target lesion size. Transferred T cells expanded, developed a stem cell-like memory phenotype, and were still detectable after six months in the patient’s blood. Conclusions SCG101 T-cell therapy showed encouraging efficacy and safety in preclinical models and in a patient with primary HBV-HCC and concomitant chronic hepatitis B with the capability to eliminate HBsAg+ cells and achieve sustained tumor control after single dosing.

The exogenous application of melatonin by the root drenching method is an effective way to improve crop drought resistance. However, the optimal concentration of melatonin by root drenching and the physiological mechanisms underlying melatonin-induced drought tolerance in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) roots remain elusive. This study determined the optimal concentration of melatonin by root drenching and explored the protective effects of melatonin on cotton roots. The results showed that 50 μmol L−1 melatonin was optimal and significantly mitigated the inhibitory effect of drought on cotton seedling growth. Exogenous melatonin promoted root development in drought-stressed cotton plants by remarkably increasing the root length, projected area, surface area, volume, diameter, and biomass. Melatonin also mitigated the drought-weakened photosynthetic capacity of cotton and regulated the endogenous hormone contents by regulating the relative expression levels of hormone-synthesis genes under drought stress. Melatonin-treated cotton seedlings maintained optimal enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant capacities, and produced relatively lower levels of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, thus reducing the drought stress damage to cotton roots (such as mitochondrial damage). Moreover, melatonin alleviated the yield and fiber length declines caused by drought stress. Taken together, these findings show that root drenching with exogenous melatonin increases the cotton yield by enhancing root development and reducing the root damage induced by drought stress. In summary, these results provide a foundation for the application of melatonin in the field by the root drenching method.

Abstract Maintenance of power transmission lines is essential for the safe and reliable operation of the power grid. The use of deep learning‐based networks to improve the performance of power line defect detection faces significant challenges, such as small target sizes, shape similarities, and occlusion issues. In response to these challenges, a transformer‐based end‐to‐end power line detection network called Power‐DETR is introduced. Initially, building upon Deformable DETR, a large pre‐trained model (Swin‐large) is utilized to increase the number of multi‐scale features, and activation checkpoint technology is applied to ensure effective training within limited memory capacity. Subsequently, a contrastive denoising training strategy is integrated to combat ambiguity and instability of the Hungarian matching algorithm during training, aiming to expedite model convergence. Additionally, a hybrid label assignment strategy combining OHEM and cost‐based ATSS is proposed to provide the model with high‐quality queries, ensuring adequate training for the decoder and enhancing encoder supervision. Experimental results substantiate the efficacy of the proposed Power‐DETR model as a novel end‐to‐end detection paradigm, surpassing both one‐stage and two‐stage detection models. Furthermore, the model demonstrates a significant 15.7% enhancement in mAP0.5 compared to the baseline.

Although serving as the workhorse, MS/MS cannot fully satisfy the analytical requirements of quantitative sub-metabolome characterization. Because more information intrinsically correlates to more structural and concentration clues, here, efforts were devoted to comprehensively tracing and deciphering MS/MS behaviors through constructing triple three-dimensional (3×3D)-MS/MS spectrum. Ginsenosides-targeted metabolomics of notoginseng, one of the most famous edible medicinal plants, was employed as a proof-of-concept. Serial authentic ginsenosides were deployed to build the correlations between 3×3D-MS/MS spectra and structure/concentration features. Through assaying ginsenosides with progressive concentrations using QTOF-MS to configure 1st 3D spectrum, the generations of MS1 spectral signals, particularly multi-charged multimer anions, e.g., [2M–2H]2– and [2M+2HCOO]2– ions, relied on both concentration and the amount of sugar chains. By programming progressive collision energies to the front collision cell of Qtrap-MS device to gain 2nd 3D spectrum, optimal collision energy (OCE) corresponding to the glycosidic bond fission was primarily correlated with the masses of precursor and fragment ions and partially governed by the glycosidation site. The quantitative relationships between OCEs and masses of precursor and fragment ions were utilized to build large-scale quantitative program for ginsenosides. After applying progressive exciting energies to the back collision chamber to build 3rd 3D spectrum, the fragment ion and the decomposition product anion exhibited identical dissociation trajectories when they shared the same molecular geometry. After ginsenosides-focused quantitative metabolomics, significant differences occurred for sub-metabolome amongst different parts of notoginseng. The differential ginsenosides were confirmatively identified by applying the correlations between 3×3D-MS/MS spectra and structures. Together, 3×3D-MS/MS spectrum covers all MS/MS behaviors and dramatically facilitates sub-metabolome characterization from both quantitative program development and structural identification.

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of peripheral blood inflammation indexes in patients with metastatic Colorectal Cancer (CRC) and to establish a predictive scoring system. A total of 324 CRC patients diagnosed through pathological examination from January 2017 to July 2022 at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University were included. The prognosis of patients with metastatic CRC was examined, and the correlation between IL-10 expression in pathological tissues and IL-10 expression in serum was analyzed. The results showed that the prognosis of CRC was poorer when metastasis occurred (P

Abstract Chasing refers to the escalation of betting behaviour. It is conventionally seen when losing but can also be seen after wins. Diagnostic and screening items for gambling problems describe chasing as returning ‘another day’ to gamble. However, gamblers may also chase within sessions, and this is particularly relevant in online gambling. This study focused on two expressions of within-session chasing: (1) increasing the bet amount, or (2) a reduced probability of quitting the session, as a function of prior losses or wins. These expressions were examined across five online gambling products: slot machines, probability games, blackjack, video poker, and roulette. Our results showed that gamblers bet more and played longer sessions after immediate losses, but they bet less and played shorter sessions when losing cumulatively. The reversed pattern in the cumulative model may be due to financial constraints. For wins, gamblers bet more after both immediate and cumulative wins, but they also played shorter sessions. Chasing patterns were qualitatively similar by game type—with limited evidence for our hypothesis that chasing would be greatest for slot machines as an established high-risk category. Overall, chasing is multi-faceted, varying across the behavioural expressions, by the immediate or cumulative timeframe of prior outcomes, and by game type.

Abstract Background Previous clinical and basic studies have revealed that ginseng might have cardioprotective properties against anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity (AIC). However, the underlying mechanism of ginseng action against AIC remains insufficiently understood. The aim of this study was to explore the related targets and pathways of ginseng against AIC using network pharmacology, molecular docking, cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Results Fourteen drug-disease common targets were identified. Enrichment analysis showed that the AGE-RAGE in diabetic complications, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, and TNF signaling pathway were potentially involved in the action of ginseng against AIC. Molecular docking demonstrated that the core components including Kaempferol, beta-Sitosterol, and Fumarine had notable binding activity with the three core targets CCNA2, STAT1, and ICAM1. Furthermore, the stable complex of STAT1 and Kaempferol with favorable affinity was further confirmed by CETSA and MD simulation. Conclusions This study suggested that ginseng might exert their protective effects against AIC through the derived effector compounds beta-Sitosterol, Kaempferol and Fumarine by targeting CCNA2, STAT1, and ICAM1, and modulating AGE-RAGE in diabetic complications, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, and TNF signaling pathways.

Abstract Background Dysregulation of lipid metabolism and its consequences on growth performance in young ruminants have attracted attention, especially in the context of alternative feeding strategies. This study aims to elucidate the effects of milk replacer (MR) feeding on growth, lipid metabolism, colonic epithelial gene expression, colonic microbiota composition and systemic metabolism in goat kids compared to breast milk (BM) feeding, addressing a critical knowledge gap in early life nutrition. Methods Ten female goat kids were divided into 2 groups: those fed breast milk (BM group) and those fed a milk replacer (MR group). Over a period of 28 d, body weight was monitored and blood and tissue samples were collected for biochemical, transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses. Profiling of the colonial microbiota was performed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Intestinal microbiota transplantation (IMT) experiments in gnotobiotic mice were performed to validate causality. Results MR-fed pups exhibited reduced daily body-weight gain due to impaired lipid metabolism as evidenced by lower serum and liver total cholesterol (TC) and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations. Transcriptomic analysis of the colonic epithelium revealed upregulated genes involved in negative regulation of lipid metabolism, concomitant with microbiota shifts characterized by a decrease in Firmicutes and an increase in Actinobacteria. Specifically, genera such as Bifidobacterium and Prevotella were enriched in the MR group, while Clostridium and Faecalibacterium were depleted. Metabolomics analyses confirmed alterations in bile acid and fatty acid metabolic pathways. IMT experiments in mice recapitulated the metabolic phenotype observed in MR-fed goats, confirming the role of the microbiota in modulating host lipid metabolism. Conclusions Milk replacer feeding in goat kids disrupts lipid metabolism and gut microbiota dynamics, resulting in reduced growth rates and metabolic alterations. These findings highlight the importance of early nutritional intervention on metabolic programming and suggest that modulation of the gut microbiota may be a target for improving growth and metabolic health in ruminants. This study contributes to the understanding of nutritional management strategies in livestock and their impact on animal health and productivity.

Abstract Background Influenza remains a global public health concern. Understanding the vaccination-induced response in an aging population, which is susceptible and at high risk, is essential for disease prevention and control. Here, we report findings on the safety and immunogenicity of a quadrivalent influenza split-virion vaccine (15 µg/subtype/0.5 ml/dose) (hereinafter referred to as the “quadrivalent influenza vaccine”) in a population aged ≥ 60 years. Methods This open-label, pragmatic post-marketing trial enrolled 1399 older adults to receive one dose of an approved commercially available quadrivalent influenza vaccine manufactured by Hualan Biological Bacterin Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “Hualan Bio”). Participants with contraindications for the vaccine were excluded, while poor health condition was acceptable. All vaccinated subjects experienced adverse events collection within 30 days and serious adverse events within 180 days post-vaccination. 25% subjects, selected randomly, underwent venous blood sampling pre-vaccination and 30 days after post-vaccination, for detecting antibody titers against each subtype of influenza virus by hemagglutination inhibition assay. The incidences of adverse events and antibody titers against each subtype of influenza virus were statistically analyzed using SAS 9.4. Results No grade 3 adverse reactions occurred within 30 days post-vaccination. The incidences of overall adverse reactions, local adverse reactions and systemic adverse reactions were 3.79%, 2.86% and 1.00%, respectively. No serious adverse reactions occurred within 180 days post-vaccination. There were 350 subjects who completed venous blood sampling pre-vaccination, among whom 348 subjects completed venous blood sampling at 30 days post-vaccination for immunogenicity assessment. With respect to hemagglutination inhibition antibodies against influenza viruses H1N1, H3N2, BV and BY subtypes, at 30 days post-vaccination, the seroconversion rates were 87.64%, 75.57%, 73.28% and 78.74%, respectively; the seropositive rates were 93.97%, 98.56%, 79.31% and 95.40%, respectively; and the geometric mean increase (GMI) in post-immunization/pre-immunization antibodies was 24.80, 7.26, 10.39 and 7.39, respectively. Conclusion One 15 µg/subtype dose of the vaccine had a good safety profile and elicited favorable immunogenicity among subjects aged ≥ 60 years. The results of this study indicate that Hualan Bio quadrivalent influenza vaccine strike balance between safety and immunogenicity, supporting unnecessity to increase dosage or inoculation frequency for further enhancing immunogenicity. Trial registration Registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration number: NCT06334510. Registered on 28/03/2024 (retrospectively registered).

Abstract Background Emerging evidence has highlighted the therapeutic potential of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) in chemotherapy-induced premature ovarian failure (POF). This study was designed to investigate the appropriate timing and molecular mechanism of UC-MSCs treatment for chemotherapy-induced POF. Methods Ovarian structure and function of mice were assessed every 3 days after injections with cyclophosphamide (CTX) and busulfan (BUS). UC-MSCs and UC-MSCs-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) were infused into mice via the tail vein, respectively. Ovarian function was analyzed by follicle counts, the serum levels of hormones and ovarian morphology. The apoptosis and proliferation of ovarian granulosa cells were analyzed in vitro and in vivo. Label-free quantitative proteomics was used to detect the differentially expressed proteins in UC-MSC-derived EVs. Results After CTX/BUS injection, we observed that the ovarian function of POF mice was significantly deteriorated on day 9 after CTX/BUS infusion. TUNEL assay indicated that the number of apoptotic cells in the ovaries of POF mice was significantly higher than that in normal mice on day 3 after CTX/BUS injection. Transplantation of UC-MSCs on day 6 after CTX/BUS injection significantly improved ovarian function, enhanced proliferation and inhibited apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells, whereas the therapeutic effect of UC-MSCs transplantation decreased on day 9, or day 12 after CTX/BUS injection. Moreover, EVs derived from UC-MSCs exerted similar therapeutic effects on POF. UC-MSCs-derived EVs could activate the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and reduce ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis. Quantitative proteomics analysis revealed that clusterin (CLU) was highly expressed in the EVs of UC-MSCs. The supplementation of CLU proteins prevented ovarian granulosa cells from chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Further mechanistic analysis showed that CLU-knockdown blocked the PI3K/AKT signaling and reversed the protective effects of UC-MSCs-derived EVs. Conclusions Administration of UC-MSCs and UC-MSCs-derived EVs on day 6 of CTX/BUS injection could effectively improve the ovarian function of POF mice. UC-MSCs-derived EVs carrying CLU promoted proliferation and inhibited apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells through activating the PI3K/AKT pathway. This study identifies a previously unrecognized molecular mechanism of UC-MSCs-mediated protective effects on POF, which pave the way for the use of cell-free therapeutic approach for POF. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Background With the backdrop of global climate change, the impact of climate change on respiratory diseases like asthma is receiving increasing attention. However, the effects of temperature and diurnal temperature range (DTR) on asthma are complex, and understanding these effects across different seasons, age groups, and sex is of utmost importance. Methods This study utilized asthma hospitalization data from Lanzhou, China, and implemented a distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) to investigate the relationship between temperature and DTR and asthma hospitalizations. It considered differences in the effects across various seasons and population subgroups. Results The study revealed that low temperatures immediately increase the risk of asthma hospitalization (RR = 1.2010, 95% CI: 1.1464, 1.2580), and this risk persists for a period of time. Meanwhile, both high and low DTR were associated with an increased risk of asthma hospitalization. Lower temperatures (RR = 2.9798, 95% CI: 1.1154, 7.9606) were associated with higher asthma risk in the warm season, while in the cold season, the risk significantly rose for the general population (RR = 3.6867, 95% CI: 1.7494, 7.7696), females (RR = 7.2417, 95% CI: 2.7171, 19.3003), and older individuals (RR = 18.5425, 95% CI: 5.1436, 66.8458). In the warm season, low DTR conditions exhibited a significant association with asthma hospitalization risk in males (RR = 7.2547, 95% CI: 1.2612, 41.7295) and adults aged 15–64 (RR = 9.9494, 95% CI: 2.2723, 43.5643). Children also exhibited noticeable risk within specific DTR ranges. In the cold season, lower DTR increases the risk of asthma hospitalization for the general population (RR = 3.1257, 95% CI: 1.4004, 6.9767). High DTR significantly increases the risk of asthma hospitalization in adults (RR = 5.2563, 95% CI: 2.4131, 11.4498). Conclusion This study provides crucial insights into the complex relationship between temperature, DTR, and asthma hospitalization, highlighting the variations in asthma risk across different seasons and population subgroups.

The microstructural evolution, precipitation behavior, and hardness variation of the Ti-V-Mo complex microalloyed steel during isothermal holding following austenite deformation have been investigated using thermal simulation tester (Gleeble-3800), optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and Vickers hardness tester. The results indicate that the microstructure transforms from austenite to ferrite as the holding time increases from 0 s to 5400 s at 630 °C, with the microstructure primarily comprising martensite and ferrite. The proportion of ferrite continues to increase, while the proportion of martensite decreases. At a holding time of 600 s, the austenite has nearly completed the ferrite transformation (95%), and the average grain size is very fine (3.9 μm). At this point, the (Ti, V, Mo)C particles exhibit the highest density and a smaller size (7.7 nm), with the hardness reaching its maximum value (415 HV). Concurrently, numerous spherical precipitates particles with a size of < 10 nm formed in the ferrite region, conforming to the Baker–Nutting (BN) orientation relationship with respect to the matrix: (100)(Ti, V, Mo)C//(100)α-Fe, [011](Ti, V, Mo)C//[012]α-Fe. As the holding time increases from 30 s to 60 s, the hardness decreases rapidly due to the reduction of martensite and addition of soft-phase ferrite. However, the subsequent slow decrease in hardness is primarily attributed to weakened precipitation strengthening caused by precipitates coarsening and decreased grain refinement strengthening due to the slight increase in ferrite grain size as the holding time increases from 600 s to 5400 s.

Abstract Nanocomposites based on inorganic/graphene nanoparticles have gained remarkable interest as a novel class of hybrid materials. Scientific community attention towards these substances has been increasing, because of their peculiar characteristics in combining anticipated features of building constructs for specified applications. Graphene oxide (GO) and metal nanoparticles (MNPs) are using separately in different applications due to their specific limitations. Researchers continue to explore ways to overcome these challenges and create functional nanomaterials for various fields by combining unique advantages of GO and MNPs. Here, we used a facile one-step method for the synthesis of reduced graphene oxide–palladium composite (RGO/Pd). Environmental-friendly biofabricated palladium nanoparticles adhered to Polyscias scutellaria (PS) leaf extract mediated RGO/Pd have been presented in the current investigation. The biofabricated nanohybrid (RGO/Pd) was analysed utilizing several microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. Further, we have also examined the catalytic function for the reduction of 2-nitroaniline (2-NA) in detail. Primarily, we observed that the synthesized nanocomposite can catalyse simultaneous reduction of 2-NA. Furthermore, an added advantage of the as prepared RGO/Pd nanocomposite is its antimicrobial and antifungal ability. Further, we exhibited that the mesenchymal stem cells of adult goat were viable in the presence of RGO/Pd of 0.1 mg/mL concentration and their properties of stem cells were retained. The outcomes displayed that the nanocomposites exhibited outstanding functioning in the killing of dangerous microbial and fungal pathogens. All these results strengthen the RGO/Pd composite applicability in future for potential therapy in bone tissue engineering applications.

Abstract Background Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death. However, the prognostic value of the tumor shrinkage rate (TSR) after chemotherapy for SCLC is still unknown. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of 235 patients with SCLC. The TSR cutoff was determined based on receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. The associations of TSR with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. Survival curves were obtained by the Kaplan–Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Recurrence patterns after first-line treatment were summarized in a pie chart. A nomogram was constructed to validate the predictive role of the TSR in SCLC. Results The TSR cutoff was identified to be − 6.6%. Median PFS and OS were longer in the group with a TSR − 6.6%. Brain metastasis-free survival was better in the group with a TSR

Abstract The long-term loss of distribution network in the process of distribution network development is caused by the backward management mode of distribution network. The traditional analysis and calculation methods of distribution network loss can not adapt to the current development environment of distribution network. To improve the accuracy of filling missing values in power load data, particle swarm optimization algorithm is proposed to optimize the clustering center of the clustering algorithm. Furthermore, the original isolated forest anomaly recognition algorithm can be used to detect outliers in the load data, and the coefficient of variation of the load data is used to improve the recognition accuracy of the algorithm. Finally, this paper introduces a breadth-first-based method for calculating line loss in the context of big data. An example is provided using the distribution network system of Yuxi City in Yunnan Province, and a simulation experiment is carried out. And the findings revealed that the error of the enhanced fuzzy C-mean clustering algorithm was on average − 6.35, with a standard deviation of 4.015 in the situation of partially missing data. The area under the characteristic curve of the improved isolated forest algorithm subjects in the case of the abnormal sample fuzzy situation was 0.8586, with the smallest decrease, based on the coefficient of variation, and through the refinement of the analysis, it was discovered that the feeder line loss rate is 7.62%. It is confirmed that the suggested technique can carry out distribution network line loss analysis fast and accurately and can serve as a guide for managing distribution network line loss.

Abstract Background Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices provide detailed information on daily glucose control and glycemic variability. Yet limited population-based studies have explored the association between CGM metrics and fatty liver. We aimed to investigate the associations of CGM metrics with the degree of hepatic steatosis. Methods This cross-sectional study included 1180 participants from the Guangzhou Nutrition and Health Study. CGM metrics, covering mean glucose level, glycemic variability, and in-range measures, were separately processed for all-day, nighttime, and daytime periods. Hepatic steatosis degree (healthy: n = 698; mild steatosis: n = 242; moderate/severe steatosis: n = 240) was determined by magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction. Multivariate ordinal logistic regression models were conducted to estimate the associations between CGM metrics and steatosis degree. Machine learning models were employed to evaluate the predictive performance of CGM metrics for steatosis degree. Results Mean blood glucose, coefficient of variation (CV) of glucose, mean amplitude of glucose excursions (MAGE), and mean of daily differences (MODD) were positively associated with steatosis degree, with corresponding odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of 1.35 (1.17, 1.56), 1.21 (1.06, 1.39), 1.37 (1.19, 1.57), and 1.35 (1.17, 1.56) during all-day period. Notably, lower daytime time in range (TIR) and higher nighttime TIR were associated with higher steatosis degree, with ORs (95% CIs) of 0.83 (0.73, 0.95) and 1.16 (1.00, 1.33), respectively. For moderate/severe steatosis (vs. healthy) prediction, the average area under the receiver operating characteristic curves were higher for the nighttime (0.69) and daytime (0.66) metrics than that of all-day metrics (0.63, P

We present a JWST MIRI/MRS spectrum of the inner disk of WISE J044634.16–262756.1B (hereafter J0446B), an old (∼34 Myr) M4.5 star but with hints of ongoing accretion. The spectrum is molecule-rich and dominated by hydrocarbons. We detect 14 molecular species (H _2 , CH _3 , CH _4 , C _2 H _2 , ^13 CCH _2 , C _2 H _4 , C _2 H _6 , C _3 H _4 , C _4 H _2 , C _6 H _6 , HCN, HC _3 N, CO _2 , and ^13 CO _2 ) and two atomic lines ([Ne ii ] and [Ar ii ]), all observed for the first time in a disk at this age. The detection of spatially unresolved H _2 and Ne gas strongly supports that J0446B hosts a long-lived primordial disk, rather than a debris disk. The marginal H _2 O detection and the high C _2 H _2 /CO _2 column density ratio indicate that the inner disk of J0446B has a very carbon-rich chemistry, with a gas-phase C/O ratio ≳2, consistent with what has been found in most primordial disks around similarly low-mass stars. In the absence of significant outer disk dust substructures, inner disks are expected to first become water-rich due to the rapid inward drift of icy pebbles and evolve into carbon-rich as outer disk gas flows inward on longer timescales. The faint millimeter emission in such low-mass star disks implies that they may have depleted their outer icy pebble reservoir early and already passed the water-rich phase. Models with pebble drift and volatile transport suggest that maintaining a carbon-rich chemistry for tens of Myr likely requires a slowly evolving disk with α -viscosity ≲10 ^−4 . This study represents the first detailed characterization of disk gas at ∼30 Myr, strongly motivating further studies into the final stages of disk evolution.

The fluidelastic instability (FEI) in heat exchanger tubes has been of widespread concern due to its tendency to cause damage to the tubes. Generally, FEI in the transverse direction of the tube occurs earlier than in the streamwise direction, and the intrinsic frequency of the tube as well as the way of tube distribution have a great influence. The mechanisms involved in inducing FEI need to be further investigated. We set up an air-water two-phase flow water tunnel test system and adopt a normal triangular arrangement plate with a pitch-to-diameter ratio of 1.41 to conduct experiments. It was ensured that FEI could occur in the experimental flow range, by varying the intrinsic frequency of the flexible tube. The fluidelastic instability phenomenon was investigated in a single flexible tube array and a cluster of seven flexible tubes (the central cluster). Comparative analysis was conducted between the results of the two array configurations. The experiments involved concurrent streamwise and transverse directions, and an analysis of the pressure exerted on the flexible tubes. Additionally, the “transitional” state observed in flexible tubes under strongly coupled vibration in the central cluster was explored. The findings indicated that a cluster of seven flexible tubes intensified the vibration coupling between bundles, leading to a more complex flow field around the tube bundle perimeter, consequently exacerbating tube vibration. Furthermore, under the “transitional” state, enhanced stability was manifested. Additionally, instability in the streamwise direction was primarily controlled by the stiffness mechanism; a single flexible tube did not exhibit fluidelastic instability in the streamwise direction, while the central cluster did. This paper recommends an instability constant (K) value of 3.4 for the Connors formula for a normal triangular tube bundle configuration with the pitch-to-diameter ratio of 1.41, thereby providing empirical and theoretical support for the vibration analysis of tube bundles.

The medicinal use of pilose antler was first described in Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica for treating kidney yang deficiency. Therefore, in this study, sika deer antler protein (SDAP) was used as a component analysis and its impacts on the immunomodulatory effects of RAW264.7 cells and kidney yang deficiency mice, as well as the intestinal flora of mice, were investigated. The results showed that SDAP could regulate the secretion of associated factors and the expression of genes and proteins of NF-κB-related signaling pathway in RAW264.7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide and kidney yang deficiency mice. Additionally, SDAP could regulate intestinal homeostasis by increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus and Clostridium, reducing the abundance of pathogenic bacteria Proteobacteria, and maintaining some bacterial homeostasis in kidney-yang deficiency mice, so as to decrease intestinal edema, effectively improve intestinal microecology, and improve the immune function of the organism.

Tropomyosin 3 (TPM3) plays a significant role as a regulatory protein in muscle contraction, affecting the growth and development of skeletal muscles. Despite its importance, limited research has been conducted to investigate the influence of TPM3 on bovine skeletal muscle development. Therefore, this study revealed the role of TPM3 in bovine myoblast growth and development. This research involved conducting a thorough examination of the Qinchuan cattle TPM3 gene using bioinformatics tools to examine its sequence and structural characteristics. Furthermore, TPM3 expression was evaluated in various bovine tissues and cells using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The results showed that the coding region of TPM3 spans 855 bp, with the 161st base being the T base, encoding a protein with 284 amino acids and 19 phosphorylation sites. This protein demonstrated high conservation across species while displaying a predominant α-helix secondary structure despite being an unstable acidic protein. Notably, a noticeable increase in TPM3 expression was observed in the longissimus dorsi muscle and myocardium of calves and adult cattle. Expression patterns varied during different stages of myoblast differentiation. Functional studies that involved interference with TPM3 in Qinchuan cattle myoblasts revealed a very significantly decrease in S-phase cell numbers and EdU-positive staining (P

Phase-covariant quantum cloning has important applications in quantum cryptography. This paper proposes the unitary transformation of the optimal 1 → 2 general phase covariant quantum cloning in two dimensions and obtains the maximal fidelity of copies. In addition, an experimental scheme is designed to implement this unitary transformation using linear optical elements, and the scheme is feasible under the present experimental technology.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with an unknown etiology and is difficult to treat. Studies have shown that some helminths and their associated products have therapeutic potential in controlling or preventing inflammatory diseases. This study is to investigate the mitigation effects of Hymenolepis nana antigens (HnAg) on the UC model. HnAg significantly improved the disease activity index, colon length, and colonic pathological damage in mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. HnAg intervention could protect the number of goblet cells and enhance the expression of tight junction proteins and mucins, thereby improving intestinal barrier integrity. HnAg attenuated small intestinal organoid damage and stimulated intestinal stem cells proliferation in a DSS-induced mouse organoid inflammation model. The protective mechanism of HnAg might be related to the activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)/IL-22 signaling pathway, which regulates intestinal barrier function and promotes the proliferation and differentiation of intestinal stem cells. In conclusion, HnAg has a therapeutic effect on UC mice. Our study provides a new approach for alleviating UC by Hymenolepis nana and its associated products.

ABSTRACT Weeds pose a significant threat to agricultural productivity, emphasizing the urgent need for developing innovative biological herbicides. Soil is a rich reservoir of fungi with potential herbicidal properties. The Xinjiang region of China, characterized by unique biodiversity shaped by geographical and climatic factors, is likely to harbor distinctive fungal resources that remain understudied. This study investigated the herbicidal potential of soil fungi by collecting 123 soil samples from 33 diverse habitats in Xinjiang and isolating 114 fungal strains. Morphological characteristics and ITS sequence analysis identified these strains as 24 species belonging to 12 genera. Subsequently, 24 representative strains underwent phytotoxicity assays using detached weed leaves. Strain Tapu14C02 demonstrated significant herbicidal activity against 11 weeds, including Amaranthus retroflexus, Bidens pilosa, and Celosia argentea. Further identification confirmed the strain as Talaromyces purpureogenus. Pot experiments were conducted to evaluate the herbicidal potential of the strain. The spore suspension at a concentration of 1.0 × 108 spores/mL inhibited barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli) seedling root length by 93.07%. Among the crude extracts from the fermentation broth, the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the strongest herbicidal activity, causing complete inhibition of root growth at concentrations of 1000 µg/mL and 500 µg/mL. This study provides novel insights into the herbicidal potential of soil fungi in the Xinjiang region of China.IMPORTANCEWeeds pose significant challenges by causing agricultural losses and ecological harm. Over the past decades, many weed species have developed high resistance to chemical herbicides, underscoring the urgent need for new biological herbicide alternatives. In this study, we isolated and screened herbicidal fungi from soil samples in Xinjiang with unique conditions of extreme arid. Notably, we discovered the T. purpureogenus strain Tapu14C02, which shows promising potential as a myco-herbicide. Both its conidia and fermentation broth exhibit broad-spectrum effectiveness against weeds. This research highlights the potential of fungal resources for sustainable agriculture.

This study aims to classify citizens' intentions to participate in carbon neutrality activities, emphasizing the crucial role of public engagement in achieving sustainability goals amid the climate crisis. The climate crisis has rapidly become one of the most pressing challenges to global sustainable development, with carbon neutrality as a key objective. To understand variations in citizens' willingness to engage in carbon neutrality efforts, we conducted a Latent Class Analysis (LCA) on responses from 800 residents of Cheongju, South Korea, categorizing their willingness to participate in 13 different carbon neutrality activities. The analysis identified three distinct groups: 'Active Participation,' 'Limited Daily Life Participation,' and 'Passive Participation,' each reflecting different levels of awareness and practice in response to the climate crisis. The findings highlight that both individual awareness and peer behavior are significant factors influencing participation in carbon neutrality activities. The practical implications of this study involve creating targeted strategies to enhance public engagement in carbon neutrality, offering valuable insights for policymakers and climate advocates in developing effective interventions to promote a more sustainable society.

As the penetration level of renewable energy is continuously growing, it is essential for transmission and distribution system operators to collaborate on optimizing the siting and sizing of distributed energy storage to enhance the operational flexibility and economic efficiency. Given the frequent occurrence of extreme weather in recent years, the planning should also account for such factors. Hence, a planning method of distributed energy storage with the coordination of transmission and distribution systems considering extreme weather is proposed. Firstly, a Gaussian mixture model-based chance constraint is established to describe the uncertainty of wind and solar power, ensuring high confidence that the bus voltage of the distribution system is within a safe range. Secondly, aiming to maximize the social welfare, a bi-level planning model for distributed energy storage is developed. The upper-level addresses the siting and sizing issues of distributed energy storage, while the lower-level characterizes the day-ahead clearing problem of power market. By leveraging Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) conditions and linearization techniques, the bi-level model is transformed into a single-level mixed integer linear programming model that is easier to solve. Finally, numerical analysis is conducted on a modified IEEE 24-node system combined with two IEEE 33-node systems. The case study verifies the effectiveness of the proposed model.

Aggregation of TAR-DNA binding protein-43 (TDP-43) is a pathological feature present in nearly 97 % cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), making it an attractive target for pathogenic studies and drug screening. Here, we have performed a high-throughput screening of 1500 compounds from a natural product library and identified that lycorine, a naturally occurring alkaloid, significantly decreases the level of TDP-43A315T in a cellular model. We further demonstrate that lycorine reduces the level of TDP-43A315T both through inhibiting its synthesis and by promoting its degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). Importantly, treatment with lycorine significantly attenuates TDP-43 proteinopathy and improves functional recovery in TDP-43A315T-expressing Caenorhabditis elegans and mouse models. These findings suggest that lycorine is a promising lead compound that has therapeutic potential for ALS.

Bisphenol AP (BPAP), an environmental endocrine disruptor, may cause neurodevelopmental disorders affecting human health. Studies have shown that BPAP impacts hormone synthesis and metabolism, causes social behavior abnormalities, and induces anxiety-like behavioral impairments in mice. However, evidence for the neurobehavioral effects of BPAP is still lacking. Here, we examined the toxic effects of BPAP on neurodevelopment using a Drosophila model. We assessed the role of BPAP exposure in autism-like behavior and explored the underlying mechanisms. Our findings indicated that BPAP exposure reduced pupation and eclosion rates and delayed growth in Drosophila. Furthermore, BPAP exposure caused autism-like behaviors, characterized by increased grooming times and aberrant social interactions, along with abnormalities in locomotor activity, as well as learning and memory ability. Mechanistically, we found that BPAP decreases the number of neuroblasts (NBs) and mature intermediate neural progenitors (INPs) in the 3rd larval brain, impairing axon guidance in the mushroom body of the adult Drosophila brain. Additionally, our transcriptome analysis revealed that BPAP exposure alters the expression of neurodevelopment-related genes (Nplp3, sand, lush, and orco) and affects the estrogen signaling pathway (Hsp70Ab, Hsp70Bc, Hsp70Ba, and Hsp70Bb). These changes potentially explain the BPAP-induced autism-like behavior in Drosophila.

Homogenization-circulating ultrasound in combination with an aqueous enzymatic pretreatment microwave-assisted extraction (HCUEPM) technique was successfully applied to extract kernel oil and essential oil from Litsea cubeba fruits. After screening the types and concentrations of enzymes, a 3 % pectinase aqueous solution was chosen. The Plackett–Burman design was used to screen eight parameters that might affect the yield of kernel oil and essential oil to identify significant variables. The best conditions were then predicted by further optimizing statistically significant factors via the Box–Behnken design. The optimal conditions were as follows: stirring speed of 1000 r/min, environmental pH of 5, homogenization time of 4 min, duty cycle of 20 %, ultrasound irradiation power of 400 W, incubation temperature of 52.78 °C, liquid–solid ratio of 9.31 mL/g, and incubation time of 2.53 h. Three parallel experiments were conducted under these conditions, yielding actual kernel oil at 240.56 ± 11.07 mL/kg DW and essential oil at 64.89 ± 3.1 mL/kg DW, which are close to the theoretical values. Compared with the HCUEPM method, the homogenization-microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (HMHD) method yielded 65.63 ± 3.2 mL/kg DW of essential oil but could not extract kernel oil. These findings demonstrate that the HCUEPM used in this study can efficiently extract a significant amount of kernel oil and essential oil from L. cubeba fruits in a short period of time. GC–MS analysis of the kernel oil and essential oil extracted via different methods revealed no significant differences in composition. The main components of the essential oil were D-limonene, trans-citral, cis-citral, and citronellal. The main components of the kernel oil were C10 and C12 medium-chain fatty acids, laying the foundation for the potential application of L. cubeba kernel oil and essential oil in the field of human health.

The Orthopoxvirus (OPXV) genus of the Poxviridae includes human pathogens variola virus (VARV), monkeypox virus (MPXV), vaccinia virus (VACV), and a number of zoonotic viruses. A number of Bcl-2-like proteins of VACV are involved in escaping the host innate immunity. However, little work has been devoted to the evolution and function of their orthologues in other OPXVs. Here, we found that MPXV protein P2, encoded by the P2L gene, and P2 orthologues from other OPXVs, such as VACV protein N2, localize to the nucleus and antagonize interferon (IFN) production. Exceptions to this were the truncated P2 orthologues in camelpox virus (CMLV) and taterapox virus (TATV) that lacked the nuclear localization signal (NLS). Mechanistically, the NLS of MPXV P2 interacted with karyopherin α-2 (KPNA2) to facilitate P2 nuclear translocation, and competitively inhibited KPNA2-mediated IRF3 nuclear translocation and downstream IFN production. Deletion of the NLS in P2 or orthologues significantly enhanced IRF3 nuclear translocation and innate immune responses, thereby reducing viral replication. Moreover, deletion of NLS from N2 in VACV attenuated viral replication and virulence in mice. These data demonstrate that the NLS-mediated translocation of P2 is critical for P2-induced inhibition of innate immunity. Our findings contribute to an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms of OPXV P2 orthologue in innate immune evasion.

Aggregate segregation compromises the homogeneity of asphalt pavement, which diminishes the road performance of the asphalt mixture. The segregation behavior and damage mechanism of asphalt mixture are complex. To investigate the mechanical properties and cracking behavior of asphalt mixtures with varying degrees of aggregate segregation, the dense-graded asphalt mixture with the nominal maximum size of 13.2 mm (AC-13) and Open Graded Friction Course with the nominal maximum size of 16.0 mm (OGFC-16) with varying degrees of segregation were designed. Indirect tensile test and the digital image correlation (DIC) technology was employed to analyze the strain distribution and strain evolution at the crack initiation point within the asphalt mixtures. The parameters were also proposed to evaluate the resistance to cracking for the segregated asphalt mixtures at a mesoscopic scale. The results show that increased segregation of coarse aggregates in AC-13 mixtures leads to decreased indirect tensile strength, lower maximum tensile strain along the horizontal direction (E11), and reduced failure displacement. Conversely, segregation of fine aggregates in OGFC-16 mixtures results in increased tensile strength, maximum strain, and failure displacement. Higher amount of coarse aggregates in the asphalt mixture contributes to a more intricate strain distribution and a greater number of strain peaks. Dense-graded mixtures show larger strain concentration zones prior to cracking, while smaller stress concentration zones are observed in open-graded mixtures. The horizontal strain-time curve displays distinct stages of stable growth, rapid growth, and rapid decline. Aggregate segregation results in more intricate crack patterns with larger inclination angles, influenced by the random distribution and shapes of coarse aggregates. Novel indexes such as strain uniformity (P1,2) and strain density during crack development (DW) effectively evaluate mesoscopic cracking resistance of asphalt mixtures. The results offer valuable insights into cracking behavior and improve evaluation methods for the mechanical performance of aggregate-segregated asphalt mixtures.

Background Serum fibrinogen/albumin ratio (FAR) is a new inflammatory marker related to a variety of diseases, and it has been shown to be associated with stroke. This study is to investigate the relationship between serum FAR and early neurological deterioration (END) in patients with recent small subcortical infarction (RSSI).Patients and methods Consecutive RSSI patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2015 to June 2022 were enrolled. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was utilized to evaluate the severity of the patients at admission and within seven days post-admission. END was defined as an increase of ≥2 points in NIHSS score from admission or ≥1 point in the motor item of the score within seven days post-admission. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify risk factors for END. The correlation between FAR and END was investigated using restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis. Subgroup analysis was used to assess stability across different populations.Results A total of 766 RSSI patients were included in the analysis, with 538 males (70.24%). END occurred in 115 (15.01%) patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that FAR (OR = 1.016, 95%CI: 1.005–1.028), PAD (OR = 1.805, 95%CI: 1.161–2.807) and age (OR = 1.028, 95%CI: 1.009–1.048) were associated with END in RSSI patients. RCS analysis indicated a linear correlation between FAR and END (p for nonlinear = .128). Subgroup analysis indicated association between FAR and END in male (OR = 1.02, 95%CI: 1.00–1.03), patients aged ≤65 years (OR = 1.02, 95%CI: 1.00–1.03) and patients without smoking history (OR = 1.02, 95%CI: 1.00–1.03).Conclusions Elevated FAR levels were associated with the occurrence of END within seven days after admission in RSSI patients, especially in men, age ≤65 years, or patients without smoking history.

Background: Previous studies have assessed the cardiovascular risk attributable to high ambient temperature. However, the mechanisms underly acute cardiovascular responses associated with high ambient temperature remain incompletely understood. Objective: To identify acute cardiovascular responses associated with high temperature, and to understand the underlying mechanisms using metabolomics. Methods: We conducted a prospective panel study on young adults, organizing participants to undergo blood collection and temperature monitoring tautologically. Levels of 10 cardiovascular biomarkers and 4473 serum metabolites were measured. Levels of ambient temperature exposure were recorded by wearing personal monitors. We employed linear mixed-effect models to identify acute cardiovascular responses associated with ambient temperature, including differential biomarkers and metabolites. KEGG pathway analysis was performed on the differential metabolites to identify temperature-associated metabolic processes. Results: Exposure to elevated ambient temperature was associated with acute cardiovascular responses, including alterations in high-density lipoprotein, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, diastolic pressure, and heart rate. These observed acute cardiovascular responses are probably attributed to metabolism disturbances, as 129 differential serum metabolites, accompanied by disruptions in 18 pathways, were identified. These differential metabolites and pathways primarily involve glycerophospholipid metabolism, which activates inflammation cytokines and subsequently induces adverse cardiovascular effects. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that elevated ambient temperature could potentially lead to cardiovascular responses among young adults in China. We propose that high ambient temperature exposure may contribute to acute cardiovascular effects by regulating the glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway.