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Al–Li alloy has been widely used in the manufacture of aerospace aircraft structural parts due to its high specific strength and excellent comprehensive performance. Friction stir welding (FSW), as a solid-state joining technique, generates comparatively lower heat generation in contrast to fusion welding. However, even with this reduced heat input, the welded joints of 2195 Al–Li alloy still exhibit noticeable thermal softening. FSW is very sensitive to welding heat input, and the thermal cycle of high peak temperature coarsens the grain in the weld zone, thereby reducing joint properties. To overcome these problems, external cooling can be applied to reduce peak temperature and increase cooling speed, improving the performance of FSW joints. In order to study the mechanism of external cooling on the microstructure evolution of joints, this work established a multi-scale simulation of splat cooling assisted friction stir welding (SCaFSW) of 2195 Al–Li alloy. The temperature change and material deformation data in SCaFSW were calculated in the macroscopic finite element model and used for further Monte Carlo microstructure evolution simulation, and compared with the conventional FSW process. Results reveal that the splat cooling significantly reduces the area of the high temperature region of the workpiece, decreasing the temperature at the same location 10 mm behind the tool by approximately 50 °C compared to FSW. While the local temperature field around the tool pin is not affected by the splat cooling, which mainly accelerates the cooling rate of the welded joint and reduces the plastic strain. In addition, the dislocation density in the weld nugget zone (WNZ) of SCaFSW joint is higher than that in conventional FSW, which promotes the process of grain nucleation and finally refines the grain in the WNZ. The simulated average grain size and thermal cycling results are in good agreement with the experimental results.

Abstract Background Recently, the application of deep learning (DL) has made great progress in various fields, especially in cancer research. However, to date, the bibliometric analysis of the application of DL in cancer is scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the research status and hotspots of the application of DL in cancer. Methods We retrieved all articles on the application of DL in cancer from the Web of Science database Core Collection database. Biblioshiny, VOSviewer and CiteSpace were used to perform the bibliometric analysis through analyzing the numbers, citations, countries, institutions, authors, journals, references, and keywords. Results We found 6,016 original articles on the application of DL in cancer. The number of annual publications and total citations were uptrend in general. China published the greatest number of articles, USA had the highest total citations, and Saudi Arabia had the highest centrality. Chinese Academy of Sciences was the most productive institution. Tian, Jie published the greatest number of articles, while He Kaiming was the most co-cited author. IEEE Access was the most popular journal. The analysis of references and keywords showed that DL was mainly used for the prediction, detection, classification and diagnosis of breast cancer, lung cancer, and skin cancer. Conclusions Overall, the number of articles on the application of DL in cancer is gradually increasing. In the future, further expanding and improving the application scope and accuracy of DL applications, and integrating DL with protein prediction, genomics and cancer research may be the research trends.

Background/Objectives: This study examined the relationships between 24-h movement behaviors and physical fitness (PF) in preschool children. Methods: The study was conducted on 474 children aged 3–6 years in Zhuhai. Physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) were collected by the accelerometer, and sleep time was assessed through the parent-report questionnaire. Balance, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), flexibility, muscle strength, muscular endurance, and speed-agility were measured using a balance beam test, 20 m shuttle run test, sit and reach test, handgrip test, sit-ups, and 4 × 10 m shuttle run test respectively. The compositional data analysis was used to examine the association between 24-h movement behaviors and PF, and the compositional isotemporal substitution analysis was used for the time reallocation. Results: The daily composition, adjusted for age, gender, and body mass index (BMI), was significantly associated with CRF (p

Abstract The effect of low‐FODMAPs diet on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in Western China has not been reported. We aimed to investigate the effect of low‐FODMAPs diet on IBS patients in the area and whether low‐FODMAPs diet‐induced alterations of microbiota could be improved through probiotics. IBS patients were randomized to the control group, low‐FODMAPs diet group, probiotics group, or combined group. IBS Symptom Severity Score questionnaire (IBS‐SSS) and IBS Quality of Life Score questionnaire (IBS‐QOL) were completed at baseline, 2 and 4 weeks to evaluate the severity of symptoms. Fresh feces were collected for analyses of gut microbiota and short‐chain fatty acids at baseline and 4 weeks after intervention. Seventy‐three patients were included in the per protocol analysis. After intervention, there was significant improvement in IBS‐SSS in the low‐FODMAPs group (37.5%, 44.2%), probiotics group (51.4%, 62.0%), and combined group (34.1%, 40.4%) at both 2 weeks and 4 weeks, compared with the baseline (p

Abstract Background Flavivirus is a challenge all over the world. The replication of flavivirus takes place within membranous replication compartments (RCs) derived from endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Flavivirus NS1 proteins have been proven essential for the formation of viral RCs by remodeling the ER. The glycosylation of flavivirus NS1 proteins is important for viral replication, yet the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Methods HeLa cells were used to visualize the ER remodeling effects induced by NS1 expression. ZIKV replicon luciferase assay was performed with BHK-21 cells. rZIKV was generated from BHK-21 cells and the plaque assay was done with Vero Cells. Liposome co-floating assay was performed with purified NS1 proteins from 293T cells. Results We found that the glycosylation of flavivirus NS1 contributes to its ER remodeling activity. Glycosylation deficiency of NS1, either through N-glycosylation sites mutations or tunicamycin treatment, compromises its ER remodeling activity and interferes with viral RCs formation. Disruption of NS1 glycosylation results in abnormal aggregation of NS1, rather than reducing its membrane-binding activity. Consequently, deficiency in NS1 glycosylation impairs virus replication. Conclusions In summary, our results highlight the significance of NS1 glycosylation in flavivirus replication and elucidate the underlying mechanism. This provides a new strategy for combating flavivirus infections.

This study sought to determine the effects of rosemary leaf powder (RP) on laying performance, egg quality, serum indices, gut barrier function, and cecal microbiota and metabolites of late-phase laying hens. A total of 84 “Jing Tint 6” laying hens at 65-week old were randomly divided into 2 groups and fed either a basal diet (CON) or a basal diet supplemented with 0.3% RP. Our study revealed that RP improved the Haugh unit and decreased yolk n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio of laying hens, increased serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), jejunal activities of SOD and catalase (CAT), and jejunal zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) expression, as well as decreased serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) level and jejunal TNF-α mRNA expression. Rosemary leaf powder markedly enhanced (P

Thermochemical conversions are pathways for biomass utilization to produce various value-added energy and chemical products. For the development of novel thermochemical conversion technologies, an accurate understanding of the reaction performance and kinetics is essential. Given the diversity of the thermal analysis techniques, it is necessary to understand the features and limitations of the reactors, ensuring that the selected thermal analysis reactor meets the specific need for reaction characterization. This paper provides a critical overview of the thermal analysis reactors based on the following perspectives: 1) gas flow conditions in the reactor, 2) particle's external and internal heat and mass transfer limitations, 3) heating rate, 4) temperature distribution, 5) nascent char production and reaction, 6) liquid feeding and atomization, 7) simultaneous sampling and analyzing of bed materials, and 8) reacting atmosphere change. Finally, prospects and future research directions in the development of analysis techniques are proposed.

Abstract This study delves into the effectiveness of combining remimazolam with low-dose propofol in pediatric fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Ninety children scheduled for fiberoptic bronchoscopy in our hospital were enrolled as research participants. Based on the intraoperative anesthetic drug regimen, the children were divided into three groups: group R (remimazolam 0.2–0.4 mg/kg), group P (propofol 1–3 mg/kg), and group RP (remimazolam0.2 mg/kg, propofol 0.5 mg/kg). Immediately post-anesthesia, group P exhibited lower blood pressure and heart rate (HR) compared to both group R and group RP (P

Abstract Natural stilbenes have shown significant potential in the prevention and treatment of diseases due to their diverse pharmacological activities. Here we present a mild and effective Ti-catalyzed intermolecular radical-relay [2σ + 2π] cycloaddition of bicyclo[1.1.0]-butanes and 1,3-dienes. This transformation enables the synthesis of bicyclo[2.1.1]hexane (BCH) scaffolds containing aryl vinyl groups with excellent regio- and trans-selectivity and broad functional group tolerance, thus offering rapid access to structurally diverse stilbene bioisosteres.

Abstract A novel double side friction stir Z shape lap-butt welding (DS-FSZW) process was proposed to achieve excellent mechanical properties of Al/Cu medium-thick dissimilar joints. The influence of welding parameters on weld microstructure and properties of DS-FSZW joint were systematically investigated. It indicated that defect-free medium-thick Al/Cu DS-FSZW joint could be achieved under an optimal welding parameter. DS-FSZW joint was prone to form void defects in the bottom of the second-pass weld. The recrystallization mechanisms at the top and middle of the weld nugget zone (WNZ) were continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX) and geometric dynamic recrystallization (GDRX). While the major recrystallization mechanism at the bottom of the WNZ was GDRX. DS-FSZW joint of the optimal welding condition with 850 r/min-400 mm/min was produced with a continuous thin and crack-free IMCs layer at the Al/Cu interface, and the maximum tensile strength of this joint is 160.57 MPa, which is equivalent to 65.54% of pure Cu base material. Moreover, the corrosion resistance of Al/Cu DS-FSZW joints also achieved its maximum value at the optimal welding parameter of 850 r/min-400 mm/min. It demonstrates that the DS-FSZW process can simultaneously produce medium-thick Al/Cu joints with excellent mechanical performance and corrosion resistance.

Abstract The verified text data of wheat varieties is an important component of wheat germplasm information. To automatically obtain a structured description of the phenotypic and genetic characteristics of wheat varieties, the aim at solve the issues of fuzzy entity boundaries and overlapping relationships in unstructured wheat variety approval data, WGIE-DCWF (joint extraction model of wheat germplasm information entity relationship based on deep character and word fusion) was proposed. The encoding layer of the model deeply fused word semantic information and character information using the Transformer encoder of BERT. This allowed for the cascading fusion of contextual semantic feature information to achieve rich character vector representation and improve the recognition ability of entity features. The triple extraction layer of the model established a cascading pointer network, extracted the head entity, extracted the tail entity according to the relationship category, and decoded the output triplet. This approach improved the model’s capability to extract overlapping relationships. The experimental results demonstrated that the WGIE-DCWF model performed exceptionally well on both the WGD (wheat germplasm dataset) and the public dataset DuIE. The WGIE-DCWF model not only achieved high performance on the evaluation datasets but also demonstrated good generalization. This provided valuable technical support for the construction of a wheat germplasm information knowledge base and is of great significance for wheat breeding, genetic research, cultivation management, and agricultural production.

Abstract Genomic alterations that activate Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 2 (FGFR2) are common in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and confer sensitivity to FGFR inhibition. However, the depth and duration of response is often limited. Here, we conduct integrative transcriptomics, metabolomics, and phosphoproteomics analysis of patient-derived models to define pathways downstream of oncogenic FGFR2 signaling that fuel ICC growth and to uncover compensatory mechanisms associated with pathway inhibition. We find that FGFR2-mediated activation of Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) maintains a highly glycolytic phenotype. Conversely, FGFR inhibition blocks glucose uptake and glycolysis while inciting adaptive changes, including switching fuel source utilization favoring fatty acid oxidation and increasing mitochondrial fusion and autophagy. Accordingly, FGFR inhibitor efficacy is potentiated by combined mitochondrial targeting, an effect enhanced in xenograft models by intermittent fasting. Thus, we show that oncogenic FGFR2 signaling drives NF-κB-dependent glycolysis in ICC and that metabolic reprogramming in response to FGFR inhibition confers new targetable vulnerabilities.

Abstract Efficient milk production in mammals confers evolutionary advantages by facilitating the transmission of energy from mother to offspring. However, the regulatory mechanism responsible for the gradual establishment of milk production efficiency in mammals, from marsupials to eutherians, remains elusive. Here, we find that mammary gland of the marsupial sugar glider contained milk components during adolescence, and that mammary gland development is less dynamically cyclic compared to that in placental mammals. Furthermore, fused in sarcoma (FUS) is found to be partially responsible for this establishment of low efficiency. In mouse model, FUS inhibit mammary epithelial cell differentiation through the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p57Kip2, leading to lactation failure and pup starvation. Clinically, FUS levels are negatively correlated with milk production in lactating women. Overall, our results shed light on FUS as a negative regulator of milk production, providing a potential mechanism for the establishment of milk production from marsupial to eutherian mammals.

Highlights High-quality large-area perovskite films are prepared using a solid–liquid two-step film formation method combined with CsBr modification for the buried interface and Urea additive for perovskite crystallization. The inverted perovskite solar modules’ performance is enhanced to 20.56% in 61.56 cm2 with improved stability.

Polymer-derived-ceramic (PDC) route is an excellent strategy to tailor components at the molecular level, while existing synthetic methods face various problems such as complex preparation, multi-step reaction, and high conversion temperature, etc. Here, we propose an approach to prepare Zr-, Hf-, or Zr/Hf-containing metallocene-based ceramic precursors, which are constructed by the alkylation reaction between cyclopentadienyl ligand and methylene. Through the homogeneous and one-pot reaction occurs, we collect the target products. The reaction condition is mild, and the conversion temperature (1400 °C) is relatively low, and with a high ceramic yield (57.50–66.34%). The obtained metal-containing polymers are further converted to the orthorhombic phase (M7O8.79F9.71, M = Zr, Hf) after pyrolysis at 800 °C. Annealing at an intermediate temperature of 1400 °C in an argon atmosphere results in cubic crystalline ZrC or HfC nanoparticles embedded in a ceramic matrix. The free carbons are in-situ formed after high-temperature treatment, and higher disorder of carbons is observed with increasing temperature. This work provides a good strategy for the potential precursor of ultrahigh-temperature ceramics.

Implant-associated Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) osteomyelitis is a severe challenge in orthopedics. While antibiotic-loaded bone cement is a standardized therapeutic approach for S. aureus osteomyelitis, it falls short in eradicating Staphylococcus abscess communities (SACs) and bacteria within osteocyte-lacuna canalicular network (OLCN) and repairing bone defects. To address limitations, we developed a borosilicate bioactive glass (BSG) combined with ferroferric oxide (Fe3O4) magnetic scaffold to enhance antibacterial efficacy and bone repair capabilities. We conducted comprehensive assessments of the osteoinductive, immunomodulatory, antibacterial properties, and thermal response of this scaffold, with or without an alternating magnetic field (AMF). Utilizing a well-established implant-related S. aureus tibial infection rabbit model, we evaluated its antibacterial performance in vivo. RNA transcriptome sequencing demonstrated that BSG + 5%Fe3O4 enhanced the immune response to bacteria and promoted osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of MSCs. Notably, BSG + 5%Fe3O4 upregulated gene expression of NOD-like receptor and TNF pathway in MSCs, alongside increased the expression of osteogenic factors (RUNX2, ALP and OCN) in vitro. Flow cytometry on macrophage exhibited a polarization effect towards M2, accompanied by upregulation of anti-inflammatory genes (TGF-β1 and IL-1Ra) and downregulation of pro-inflammatory genes (IL-6 and IL-1β) among macrophages. In vivo CT imaging revealed the absence of osteolysis and periosteal response in rabbits treated with BSG + 5%Fe3O4 + AMF at 42 days. Histological analysis indicated complete controls of SACs and bacteria within OLCN by day 42, along with new bone formation, signifying effective control of S. aureus osteomyelitis. Further investigations will focus on the in vivo biosafety and biological mechanism of this scaffold within infectious microenvironment.

Dental age estimation is a crucial aspect and one of the ways to accomplish forensic age estimation, and imaging technology is an important technique for dental age estimation. In recent years, some studies have preliminarily confirmed the feasibility of magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） in evaluating dental development, providing a new perspective and possibility for the evaluation of dental development, suggesting that MRI is expected to be a safer and more accurate tool for dental age estimation. However, further research is essential to verify its accuracy and feasibility. This article reviews the current state, challenges and limitations of MRI in dental development and age estimation, offering reference for the research of dental age assessment based on MRI technology.

Transcription factors regulating crop uptake and translocation of the micronutrient Cu have not been identified. We isolated a novel R2R3-MYB transcription factor, OsMYB84, and showed that it was a positive regulator involved in uptake and transport of Cu via activation of OsCOPT2 and OsHMA expression. OsMYB84 was highly expressed in roots and anthers and induced by Cu. Overexpression of OsMYB84 promoted uptake and root-to-shoot translocation of Cu in rice, facilitated Cu distribution into grain and increased grain yield. In contrast, mutation of OsMYB84 reduced Cu concentration in xylem sap. OsMYB84 bound to the promoter region of OsCOPT2 and OsHMA5 and upregulated their expression. OsCOPT2 mutants showed reduced uptake of Cu and OsHMA5 overexpression lines showed increased root-to-shoot translocation of Cu.

Abstract Neuroblastoma (NB) is a common childhood tumor with a high incidence worldwide. The regulatory role of RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) in gene expression has attracted significant attention, and the impact of methyltransferase-like 14 (METTL14) on tumor progression has been extensively studied in various types of cancer. However, the specific influence of METTL14 on NB remains unexplored. Using data from the Target database, our study revealed significant upregulation of METTL14 expression in high-risk NB patients, with strong correlation with poor prognosis. Furthermore, we identified ETS1 and YY1 as upstream regulators that control the expression of METTL14. In vitro experiments involving the knockdown of METTL14 in NB cells demonstrated significant inhibition of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In addition, suppressing METTL14 inhibited NB tumorigenesis in nude mouse models. Through MeRIP-seq and RNA-seq analyses, we further discovered that YWHAH is a downstream target gene of METTL14. Mechanistically, we observed that methylated YWHAH transcripts, particularly those in the 5′ UTR, were specifically recognized by the m6A “reader” protein YTHDF1, leading to the degradation of YWHAH mRNA. Moreover, the downregulation of YWHAH expression activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, promoting NB cell activity. Overall, our study provides valuable insights into the oncogenic effects of METTL14 in NB cells, highlighting its role in inhibiting YWHAH expression through an m6A-YTHDF1-dependent mechanism. These findings also suggest the potential utility of a biomarker panel for prognostic prediction in NB patients.

Abstract Introduction Empathy is considered the ability to understand or feel others emotions or experiences. As an important part of medical education, empathy can affect medical students in many ways. It is still lacking a comprehensive evaluation of the existing articles on empathy’s impact on medical students, despite the existence of many articles on the topic. Objectives To summarize the impact of empathy on medical students during medical education from four perspectives: mental health, academic performance, clinical competence, and specialty preference. Methods The search terms used for retrieval were “empathy”, “medical student”, “mental health”, “depression”, “anxiety”, “burnout”, “examinations”, “academic performance”, “clinical competence”, “specialty preference” on PubMed, EBSCO, and Web of Science before January 2024. The search was carried out by two reviewers. Titles and abstracts were screened independently and reviewed based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. A consensus was drawn on which articles were included. Results Our results indicated that high empathy was a positive factor for mental health, However, students with high affective empathy were more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and burnout. Empathy was found to be unrelated to academic performance, but positively correlated with clinical competence, particularly in terms of communication skills. Medical students with high levels of empathy tended to prefer people-oriented majors. Conclusions Medical students who score higher on the self-reported empathy scales often have better mental health, better communication skills, and tend to choose people-oriented specialties. But empathy is not related to academic performance. Additionally, the different dimensions of empathy have different impacts on medical students. It is necessary to design targeted courses and training for medical students to enhance their empathy.

Abstract Background Radiation therapy stands to be one of the primary approaches in the clinical treatment of malignant tumors. Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, a malignancy predominantly treated with radiation therapy, provides an invaluable model for investigating the mechanisms underlying radiation therapy resistance in cancer. While some reports have suggested the involvement of circRNAs in modulating resistance to radiation therapy, the underpinning mechanisms remain unclear. Methods RT-qPCR and in situ hybridization were used to detect the expression level of circCDYL2 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissue samples. The effect of circCDYL2 on radiotherapy resistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma was demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo functional experiments. The HR-GFP reporter assay determined that circCDYL2 affected homologous recombination repair. RNA pull down, RIP, western blotting, IF, and polysome profiling assays were used to verify that circCDYL2 promoted the translation of RAD51 by binding to EIF3D protein. Results We have identified circCDYL2 as highly expressed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues, and it was closely associated with poor prognosis. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that circCDYL2 plays a pivotal role in promoting radiotherapy resistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Our investigation unveils a specific mechanism by which circCDYL2, acting as a scaffold molecule, recruits eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit D protein (EIF3D) to the 5′-UTR of RAD51 mRNA, a crucial component of the DNA damage repair pathway to facilitate the initiation of RAD51 translation and enhance homologous recombination repair capability, and ultimately leads to radiotherapy resistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Conclusions These findings establish a novel role of the circCDYL2/EIF3D/RAD51 axis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiotherapy resistance. Our work not only sheds light on the underlying molecular mechanism but also highlights the potential of circCDYL2 as a therapeutic sensitization target and a promising prognostic molecular marker for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Abstract Background Prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) is part of standard care in limited-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) at present. As evidence from retrospective studies increases, the benefits of PCI for limited-stage SCLC are being challenged. Methods A multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled study was designed. The key inclusion criteria were: histologically or cytologically confirmed small cell carcinoma, age ≥ 18 years, KPS ≥ 80, limited-stage is defined as tumor confined to one side of the chest including ipsilateral hilar, bilateral mediastinum and supraclavicular lymph nodes, patients have received definitive thoracic radiotherapy (regardless of the dose-fractionation of radiotherapy used) and chemotherapy, evaluated as complete remission (CR) of tumor 4–6 weeks after the completion of chemo-radiotherapy. Eligible patients will be randomly assigned to two arms: (1) PCI and brain MRI surveillance arm, receiving PCI (2.5 Gy qd to a total dose of 25 Gy in two weeks) followed by brain MRI surveillance once every three months for two years; (2) brain MRI surveillance alone arm, undergoing brain MRI surveillance once every three months for two years. The primary objective is to compare the 2-year brain metastasis-free survival (BMFS) rates between the two arms. Secondary objectives include 2-year overall survival (OS) rates, intra-cranial failure patterns, 2-year progression-free survival rates and neurotoxicity. In case of brain metastasis (BM) detect during follow-up, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) will be recommended if patients meet the eligibility criteria. Discussion Based on our post-hoc analysis of a prospective study, we hypothesize that in limited-stage SCLC patients with CR after definitive chemoradiotherapy, and ruling out of BM by MRI, it would be feasible to use brain MRI surveillance and omit PCI in these patients. If BM is detected during follow-up, treatment with SRS or whole brain radiotherapy does not appear to have a detrimental effect on OS. Additionally, this approach may reduce potential neurotoxicity associated with PCI.

Abstract Understanding the sensing mechanism of metal oxide semiconductors is imperative to the development of high-performance sensors. The traditional sensing mechanism only recognizes the effect of surface chemisorbed oxygen from the air but ignores surface lattice oxygen. Herein, using in-situ characterizations, we provide direct experimental evidence that the surface chemisorbed oxygen participated in the sensing process can come from lattice oxygen of the oxides. Further density functional theory (DFT) calculations prove that the p-band center of O serves as a state of art for regulating the participation of lattice oxygen in gas-sensing reactions. Based on our experimental data and theoretical calculations, we discuss mechanisms that are fundamentally different from the conventional mechanism and show that the easily participation of lattice oxygen is helpful for the high response value of the materials.

The genus Ablepharus Lichtenstein, 1823 contains the common snake-eyed skinks, distributed from southern Europe and northern Africa to eastern Asia. Ablepharus alaicus Elpatjevsky, 1901 inhabits Central Asia and, according to historical literature, was once recorded in north-western China. However, there are no voucher records of this species from China. Some populations of a subspecies of A. alaicus have been elevated to new species, for example, A. eremchenkoi (Panfilov, 1999). However, no detailed studies have been conducted. In August and September 2023, we captured sixteen and fourteen skink specimens from Wuqia County and Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County, respectively, in Xinjiang, northwest China. Morphological and phylogenetic comparisons showed that the skinks collected from these two locations belong to A. eremchenkoi and A. alaicus, respectively. In this study, we confirmed the first record of A. eremchenkoi in China, rediscovered A. alaicus, reported voucher records for these two skinks and reviewed the taxonomic history of Ablepharus in Xinjiang, northwest China.

Phosphorus (P) is essential for living plants, and P deficiency is one of the key factors limiting the yield in rapeseed production worldwide. As the most important organ for plants, root morphology traits (RMTs) play a key role in P absorption. To investigate the genetic variability of RMT under low P availability, we dissected the genetic structure of RMTs by genome-wide association studies (GWAS), linkage mapping and candidate gene association studies (CGAS). A total of 52 suggestive loci were associated with RMTs under P stress conditions in 405 oilseed rape accessions. The purple acid phosphatase gene BnPAP17 was found to control the lateral root number (LRN) and root dry weight (RDW) under low P stress. The expression of BnPAP17 was increased in shoot tissue in P-efficient cultivars compared to root tissue and P-inefficient cultivars in response to low P stress. Moreover, the haplotype of BnPAP17Hap3 was detected for the selective breeding of P efficiency in oilseed rape. Over-expression of the BnPAP17Hap3 could promote the shoot and root growth with enhanced tolerance to low P stress and organic phosphorus (Po) utilization in oilseed rape. Collectively, these findings increase our understanding of the mechanisms underlying BnPAP17-mediated low P stress tolerance in oilseed rape.

AbstractThe complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of Tenuidactylus dadunensis (Squamata: Gekkonidae) was described by using next-generation sequencing. The total length of mtDNA was 16,893 bp, which contained 13 PCGs (COX1-3, ND1-6, ND4L, ATP6, ATP8, and CYTB), 22 transfer RNA(tRNA) genes, 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and a control region (D-loop). The Bayesian inference tree showed that T. dadunensis was included in Gekkonidae and was a sister taxon to Cyrtopodion scabrum. The complete mtDNA of T. dadunensis will be an important genetic resource to the studies of conservation and research of geckonids.

In order to realize the efficient mining of deep coalbed methane, through studying the creep deformation and permeability evolution laws of coal mass under different temperatures, confining pressures and gas pressures, we obtain the coupling relationship between creep and seepage of coal mass under the action of multiple factors. A self-designed rock triaxial creep and seep device was used to carry out a compressive creep and seepage experiment on coking coal under multi-factor variables. The results show that: temperature is positively correlated with the creep of coal sample: the change rate of radial and axial strain of coking coal sample increases with the increase of temperature, and the change will continue until the coal sample cracks at high temperature （110 ℃）. The maximum and minimum difference of gas permeability reduction rates of coke coal samples with confining pressures of 3 MPa and 4 MPa at temperatures of 30 ℃, 70 ℃,110 ℃ are 7.8%, 5.2%, 6.5% and 4.2%, 2.1%, 1.9%, respectively. The maximum reduction rate of permeability of coking coal sample increases with the increase of temperature. The average maximum reduction rates of permeability of coke coal samples at 110 ℃, 70 ℃ and 30 ℃ are 91%, 84.6% and 73.25%, successively.

Abstract Mental disorders are the leading contributors to the globally nonfatal burden of disease. This study was aimed to estimate the burden of mental disorders in Asian countries. Based on GBD 2019, the prevalence and disability-adjusted life of years (DALYs) rates with 95% uncertainty intervals (UI) were estimated in Asian countries. Predictions for the future burden of 8 selected countries, ranks of the burden of mental disorders and correlations with Sociodemographic Index (SDI) were also estimated. During the past 3 decades, while the number of DALYs of mental disorders increased from 43.9 million (95% UI: 32.5–57.2) to 69.0 million (95% UI: 51.0–89.7), the age-standardized rates of DALYs of mental disorders remained largely consistent from 1452.2 (95% UI: 1080.16–1888.53) per 100,000 population in 1990 to 1434.82 (95% UI: 1065.02–1867.27) per 100,000 population in 2019, ranked as the eighth most significant disease burden in Asia in 2019. Depressive disorders (37.2%) were the leading contributors to the age-standardized DALY rates of mental disorders in Asia, followed by anxiety disorders (21.5%). The age-standardized DALY rates in females were higher than their male counterparts, both peaked at 30-34 years. The age-standardized DALY rates were predicted to remain stable, with the number of DALYs presented an upward trend in the future. There was no significant correlation between the burden of mental disorders and SDI. All mental disorders ranked higher in 2019, compared in 1990. To reduce this burden, urgent measures for prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation for mental disorders need to be taken by Asian governments.

Abstract Background Nutrition and exercise are important interventions for sarcopenia. There were few studies on oral oligopeptide nutrition preparations combined with exercise to intervene in the older people with sarcopenia. The aim of this study was to verify the effectiveness of oligopeptide nutrition preparation combined with exercise intervention on the older people with sarcopenia in community. Methods A total of 219 subjects aged 65 years or older with sarcopenia were randomly divided into 4 groups. The nutrition group (n = 58) was given individualized nutrition education and oral oligopeptide nutrition preparation. The exercise group (n = 50) received exercise intervention. The combined group (n = 52) received both oral nutrition preparation and exercise interventions. The control group (n = 59) only received individualized nutrition education. The nutrition preparation can provide energy 185kcal and protein 24.2g per day. The exercise intervention including warm-up exercise, resistance exercise and aerobic exercise, the training time was 60min for 5 times every week. The intervention lasted for 16 weeks. Hand grip strength, gait speed, body composition and hematology parameters were measured before and after intervention. Results A total of 159 subjects completed the study. Compared with baseline, the left grip strength and 6-m walking speed of the subjects in nutrition group increased significantly after the intervention, and the grip strength of both hands in exercise group and combined group increased significantly. The body weight of the subjects in nutrition group, exercise group and combined group increased significantly after intervention, but no increase in soft lean mass (SLM) and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) was observed in any of the four groups. The fat-free mass (FFM) of the legs of the control group, exercise group and nutrition group decreased after intervention, and only the FFM of the legs of the combined group maintained the level before the intervention. Conclusion Both oral peptide nutrition and exercise interventions can improve the muscle strength or function of the older people with sarcopenia. However, there were no increases in muscle mass observed. Trial registration ChiCTR, ChiCTR2100052135. Registered 20 October 2021, https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=135743

Abstract A within-host and between-host hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) mathematical model is established and the affect of optimal control in its within-host part on HFMD transmission is studied. Through define two basic reproduction numbers, by using the fast-slow system analysis method of time scale, the global stabilities of the between-host (slow) system and within-host (fast) system are researched, respectively. An optimal control problem with drug-treatment control on coupled within-host and between-host HFMD model is formulated and analysed theoretically. Finally, the purposed optimal control measures are applied to the actual HFMD epidemic analysis in Zhejiang Province, China from April 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021. The numerical results show that the drug control strategies can reduce the virus load per capita and can effectively prevent large-scale outbreaks of HFMD.

Abstract MALAT1, one of the few highly conserved nuclear long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), is abundantly expressed in normal tissues. Previously, targeted inactivation and genetic rescue experiments identified MALAT1 as a suppressor of breast cancer lung metastasis. On the other hand, Malat1-knockout mice are viable and develop normally. On a quest to discover the fundamental roles of MALAT1 in physiological and pathological processes, we find that this lncRNA is downregulated during osteoclastogenesis in humans and mice. Remarkably, Malat1 deficiency in mice promotes osteoporosis and bone metastasis of melanoma and mammary tumor cells, which can be rescued by genetic add-back of Malat1. Mechanistically, Malat1 binds to Tead3 protein, a macrophage-osteoclast–specific Tead family member, blocking Tead3 from binding and activating Nfatc1, a master regulator of osteoclastogenesis, which results in the inhibition of Nfatc1-mediated gene transcription and osteoclast differentiation. Notably, single-cell transcriptome analysis of clinical bone samples reveals that reduced MALAT1 expression in pre-osteoclasts and osteoclasts is associated with osteoporosis and metastatic bone lesions. Altogether, these findings identify Malat1 as a lncRNA that protects against osteoporosis and bone metastasis.

Abstract The rapid development of organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells has resulted in laboratory-scale devices having power conversion efficiencies that are competitive with commercialised technologies. However, hybrid perovskite solar cells are yet to make an impact beyond the research community, with translation to large-area devices fabricated by industry-relevant manufacturing methods remaining a critical challenge. Here we report the first demonstration of hybrid perovskite solar cell modules, comprising serially-interconnected cells, produced entirely using industrial roll-to-roll printing tools under ambient room conditions. As part of this development, costly vacuum-deposited metal electrodes are replaced with printed carbon electrodes. A high-throughput experiment involving the analysis of batches of 1600 cells produced using 20 parameter combinations enabled rapid optimisation over a large parameter space. The optimised roll-to-roll fabricated hybrid perovskite solar cells show power conversion efficiencies of up to 15.5% for individual small-area cells and 11.0% for serially-interconnected cells in large-area modules. Based on the devices produced in this work, a cost of ~0.7 USD W−1 is predicted for a production rate of 1,000,000 m² per year in Australia, with potential for further significant cost reductions.

Abstract Background Occupational hazards occur in all walks of life. China’s horticulture industry is undergoing rapid development. However, the mental health of garden workers has not received much attention. This study investigates the mental health status and influencing factors of Chinese garden workers and provides a basis for promoting their mental health and ensuring the healthy development of Chinese horticulture. Methods A cross-sectional survey of garden workers in Beijing was conducted from 10 July 2021 to 10 October 2021. A total of 3349 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective response rate of 95.69%. Descriptive statistical analysis was carried out on the demographic characteristics, job satisfaction, stress, anxiety, and depression of garden workers, and the influencing factors affecting the mental health of Chinese garden workers were found through a t-test, variance analysis, and ordinal multi-class logistic regression analysis. Results Survey respondents were mostly male (54.4%) and under the age of 40 (64.1%). The anxiety and depression symptoms of the garden workers were moderate. Among staff members, 40.2% were in a normal state of stress. Gender, three meals on time, monthly income, and job satisfaction were the factors influencing stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms among garden workers. Conclusion Compared to medical staff and other groups, the stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms of Chinese garden workers are severe. Gender, monthly income, and job satisfaction are important factors affecting their mental health. Managers should continuously improve the working environment of garden workers, provide salaries that match their positions, and improve their job recognition and satisfaction to reduce the impact of negative emotions on personal health.

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the distinguished academic career and scientific accomplishments of Prof. Noritatsu Tsubaki at the University of Toyama. For over 35 years, he has dedicated himself to the research field of one-carbon (C1) chemistry, including catalytic conversion of C1 molecules to valuable chemicals and superclean fuels, innovative catalyst and reactor development, and the design of new catalytic reactions and processes. Organized chronologically, this review highlights Prof. Tsubaki's academic contributions from 1990, when he studied and worked at The University of Tokyo, to his current role as a full professor at the University of Toyama. The academic section of this review is divided into three main parts, focusing on Prof. Tsubaki's pioneering work in C1 chemistry. We believe that this review will serve as a highly valuable reference for colleagues in the fields of C1 chemistry and catalysis, and inspire the development of more original and groundbreaking research.

It is well known that calcium oxide (CaO) has better catalytic efficiency than most heterogeneous catalysts in many transesterification reactions. However, the gradual deactivation problem prevents its large-scale application in industry. In this paper, the deactivation mechanism of CaO in a fixed-bed reactor is investigated based on the transesterification reaction of propylene carbonate and methanol. The leaching amount of CaO during the reaction was estimated by the concentration of Ca in the products. The pretreated and recovered catalysts were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, TG-MS and SEM-EDS. It is evident from experiments and characterization that the deactivation process of CaO is accompanied by the leaching of calcium species and the generation of CaCO3, which are also verified by DFT calculations. At high temperature and high weight hourly space velocity, the deactivation was attributed to the formation of dense CaCO3 shell, which prevents the contact between the feedstock and the active species inside.

The catalytic performance of different acidic catalysts for diethyl oxalate synthesis from the one-step transesterification of dimethyl oxalate and ethanol was evaluated. The effects of different factors (e.g., acidity, electron accepting capacity, cations type and crystalline water) on the catalytic activity of acidic catalysts were investigated respectively. It was proposed and confirmed that the transesterification reaction catalyzed by a Lewis acid (FeCl3) and a Bronsted acid (H2SO4) follows a first-order kinetic reaction process. In addition, the Lewis acid-catalyzed transesterification processes with different ester structures were used to further explore and understand the speculated reaction mechanism. This work enriches the theoretical understanding of acid-catalyzed transesterification reactions and is of great significance for the development of highly active catalysts for diethyl oxalate synthesis, diminishing the industrial production cost of diethyl oxalate, and developing downstream bulk or high-value-added industrial products.

The repair and regeneration of bone defects are highly challenging orthopedic problems. Recently, Mg-based implants have gained popularity due to their unique biodegradation and elastic modulus similar to that of human bone. The aim of our study is to develop a magnesium alloy with a controllable degradation that can closely match bone tissue to help injuries heal in vivo and avoid cytotoxicity caused by a sudden increase in ion concentration. In this study, we prepared and modified Mg-3 Zn, Mg-3Zn-1Y, and Mg-2Zn-1Mn by hot extrusion, and used Mg-2.5Y-2.5Nd was as a control. We then investigated the effect of additions of Y and Mn on alloys’ properties. Our results show that Mn and Y can improve not only compression strength but also corrosion resistance. The alloy Mg-2Zn-1Mn demonstrated good cytocompatibility in vitro, and for this reason we selected it for implantation in vivo. The degraded Mg-2Zn-1Mn implanted a bone defect area did not cause obvious rejection and inflammatory reaction, and the degradation products left no signs of damage to the heart, liver, kidney, or brain. Furthermore, we find that Mg-2Zn-1Mn can promote an osteoinductive response in vivo and the formation of bone regeneration.

BackgroundSleep quality is one of the important factors affecting soldiers’ task performance. ObjectiveTo explore the effects of mindful attention awareness, burnout, and occupational stress on sleep quality among soldiers in plateau areas. MethodsA total of 1090 soldiers were selected from four units in plateau areas by cluster sampling method and were asked to participate a cross-sectional questionnaire survey using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PQSI), Occupational Stress Inventory (OSI), Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS), and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS). Correlation analysis, regression analysis, and mediated effect test were conducted for the study. ResultsOf the 1090 soldiers recruited, 1082 soldiers returned valid questionnaires, and the valid recovery rate was 99.26%. The median (P25, P75) score of PSQI was 4.00 (2.00,7.00), the median score of OSI was 26.00 (17.00, 34.00), the median score of MBI-GS was 3.53 (3.13, 4.00), and the median score of MAAS was 71.00 (59.00, 82.00). The burnout and mindful attention awareness levels varied among military personnel of different age groups (P

Abstract Adenine base editors (ABEs) and cytosine base editors (CBEs) enable the single nucleotide editing of targeted DNA sites avoiding generation of double strand breaks, however, the genomic features that influence the outcomes of base editing in vivo still remain to be characterized. High-throughput datasets from lentiviral integrated libraries were used to investigate the sequence features affecting base editing outcomes, but the effects of endogenous factors beyond the DNA sequences are still largely unknown. Here the base editing outcomes of ABE and CBE were evaluated in mammalian cells for 5012 endogenous genomic sites and 11,868 genome-integrated target sequences, with 4654 genomic sites sharing the same target sequences. The comparative analyses revealed that the editing outcomes of ABE and CBE at endogenous sites were substantially different from those obtained using genome-integrated sequences. We found that the base editing efficiency at endogenous target sites of both ABE and CBE was influenced by endogenous factors, including epigenetic modifications and transcriptional activity. A deep-learning algorithm referred as BE_Endo, was developed based on the endogenous factors and sequence information from our genomic datasets, and it yielded unprecedented accuracy in predicting the base editing outcomes. These findings along with the developed computational algorithms may facilitate future application of BEs for scientific research and clinical gene therapy.

Abstract Myocardial infarction (MI) remains a significant contributor to global mortality and morbidity, necessitating accurate and timely diagnosis. Current diagnostic methods encounter challenges in capturing intricate patterns, urging the need for advanced automated approaches to enhance MI detection. In this study, we strive to advance MI detection by proposing a hybrid approach that combines the strengths of ResNet and Vision Transformer (ViT) models, leveraging global and local features for improved accuracy. We introduce a slim-model ViT design with multibranch networks and channel attention mechanisms to enhance patch embedding extraction, addressing ViT’s limitations. By training data through both ResNet and modified ViT models, we incorporate a dual-pathway feature extraction strategy. The fusion of global and local features addresses the challenge of robust feature vector creation. Our approach showcases enhanced learning capabilities through modified ViT architecture and ResNet architecture. The dual-pathway training enriches feature extraction, culminating in a comprehensive feature vector. Preliminary results demonstrate significant potential for accurate detection of MI. Our study introduces a hybrid ResNet-ViT model for advanced MI detection, highlighting the synergy between global and local feature extraction. This approach holds promise for elevating MI classification accuracy, with implications for improved patient care. Further validation and clinical applicability exploration are warranted.

Abstract To explore the relationship between quantitative perfusion histogram parameters of dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) with the expression of tumor tissue epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and EGFR gene mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A total of 44 consecutive patients with known NSCLC were recruited from March 2018 to August 2021. Histogram parameters (mean, uniformity, skewness, energy, kurtosis, entropy, percentile) of each (Ktrans, Kep, Ve, Vp, Fp) were obtained by Omni Kinetics software. Immunohistochemistry staining was used in the detection of the expression of VEGF and EGFR protein, and the mutation of EGFR gene was detected by PCR. Corresponding statistical test was performed to compare the parameters and protein expression between squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC), as well as EGFR mutations and wild-type. Correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between parameters with the expression of VEGF and EGFR protein. Fp (skewness, kurtosis, energy) were statistically significant between SCC and AC, and the area under the ROC curve were 0.733, 0.700 and 0.675, respectively. The expression of VEGF in AC was higher than in SCC. Fp (skewness, kurtosis, energy) were negatively correlated with VEGF (r = − 0.527, − 0.428, − 0.342); Ktrans (Q50) was positively correlated with VEGF (r = 0.32); Kep (energy), Ktrans (skewness, kurtosis) were positively correlated with EGFR (r = 0.622, r = 0.375, 0.358), some histogram parameters of Kep, Ktrans (uniformity, entropy) and Ve (kurtosis) were negatively correlated with EGFR (r = − 0.312 to − 0.644). Some perfusion histogram parameters were statistically significant between EGFR mutations and wild-type, they were higher in wild-type than mutated (P

Abstract Background To evaluate the current prevalence of prediabetes in northeast China, and further determine the association between prediabetes alone or coexistent with hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Methods In the prospective study, 15,557 participants without diabetes among aged ≥40 years in northeast China, were followed for a median of 5.5 years. Following the American Diabetes Association, prediabetes was defined as fasting plasma glucose (FPG) range of 5.6-6.9 mmol/L or glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) range of 5.7-6.4% in people without diabetes. Results The prevalence of prediabetes was 44.3% among population aged ≥40 years in northeast China. Prediabetes alone did not promote risk of CVD mortality. However, when the subgroups were stratified by hypertension, the CVD mortality risk in prediabetes plus hypertension subjects increased significantly compared with population without prediabetes and hypertension. Multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios for CVD mortality in prediabetes subgroups plus hypertension were 2.28 (95% CI: 1.50, 3.47) for those diagnosed by FPG

BackgroundChildhood and adolescent cancer represent a significant health burden in the United States. Current and precise epidemiological data are crucial to develop effective cancer control plans and ultimately reduce the burden of childhood and adolescent cancer.MethodsWe analyzed data obtained from cancer registries in the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. Age-standardized incidence and death rates, assessed using joinpoint analysis, were quantified as annual percentage changes (APC) and average percentage changes (AAPC).ResultsThe overall cancer incidence rate in 2008–2018 was 187.9 per 1,000,000 persons. Cancer incidence rates demonstrated a sustained upward trend, with an APC of 0.8 from 1975 to 2018. Incidence rates during 2008–2018 remained stable among non-Hispanic Black children but increased among other racial and ethnic groups. Leukemias, central nervous system tumors, and lymphomas were the most common cancer groups for patients aged 0–19 years. Cancer death rates decreased among children [AAPC, −1.3 (95% CI, −1.5 to −1.1)] during 2009–2019, while were stable among adolescents during that period.ConclusionsIn this study, we analyzed cancer incidence and mortality rates and trends in children aged 0–19 years in the United States. Our findings revealed an overall increase in cancer incidence rates among children and adolescents, accompanied by a decline in cancer mortality rates over time. These rates and trends varied by age, sex, and particularly race and ethnicity, highlighting the significance of comprehending and addressing disparities and ultimately reducing the disease burden of childhood and adolescent cancer.

DNA methylation plays a critical role in hematopoietic differentiation. Epimutation is a stochastic variation in DNA methylation that induces epigenetic heterogeneity. However, the effects of epimutations on normal hematopoiesis and hematopoietic diseases remain unclear. In this study, we developed a Julia package called EpiMut that enabled rapid and accurate quantification of epimutations. EpiMut was used to evaluate and provide an epimutation landscape in steady-state hematopoietic differentiation involving 13 types of blood cells ranging from hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells to mature cells. We showed that substantial genomic regions exhibited epigenetic variations rather than significant differences in DNA methylation levels between the myeloid and lymphoid lineages. Stepwise dynamics of epimutations were observed during the differentiation of each lineage. Importantly, we found that epimutation significantly enriched signals associated with lineage differentiation. Furthermore, epimutations in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) derived from various sources and acute myeloid leukemia were related to the function of HSCs and malignant cell disorders. Taken together, our study comprehensively documented an epimutation map and uncovered its important roles in human hematopoiesis, thereby offering insights into hematopoietic regulation.

In the domain of outdoor construction within the power industry, working at significant heights is common, requiring stringent safety measures. Workers are mandated to wear hard hats and secure themselves with seat belts to prevent potential falls, ensuring their safety and reducing the risk of injuries. Detecting seat belt usage holds immense significance in safety inspections within the power industry. This study introduces detection method of the seat belt for workers at height based on UAV Image and YOLO Algorithm. The YOLOv5 approach involves integrating CSPNet into the Darknet53 backbone, incorporating the Focus layer into CSP-Darknet53, replacing the SPPF block in the SPP model, and implementing the CSPNet strategy in the PANet model. Experimental results demonstrate that the YOLOv5 algorithm achieves an elevated average accuracy of 99.2%, surpassing benchmarks set by FastRcnn, SSD, YOLOX-m, and YOLOv7. It also demonstrates superior adaptability in scenarios involving smaller objects, validated using a UAV-collected dataset of seat belt images. These findings confirm the algorithm's compliance with performance criteria for seat belt detection at power construction sites, making a significant contribution to enhancing safety measures within the power industry's construction practices.

Objective To investigate the effects of 12-week weight-bearing dance aerobics (WBDA) on muscle morphology, strength and functional fitness in older women. Methods This controlled study recruited 37 female participants (66.31y ± 3.83) and divided them into intervention and control groups according to willingness. The intervention group received 90-min WBDA thrice a week for 12 weeks, while the control group maintained normal activities. The groups were then compared by measuring muscle thickness, fiber length and pennation angle by ultrasound, muscle strength using an isokinetic multi-joint module and functional fitness, such as 2-min step test, 30-s chair stand, chair sit-and-reach, TUG and single-legged closed-eyed standing test. The morphology, strength, and functional fitness were compared using ANCOVA or Mann-Whitney U test to study the effects of 12 weeks WBDA. Results Among all recruited participants, 33 completed all tests. After 12 weeks, the thickness of the vastus intermedius (F = 17.85, P < 0.01) and quadriceps (F = 15.62, P < 0.01) was significantly increased in the intervention group compared to the control group, along with a significant increase in the torque/weight of the knee flexor muscles (F = 4.47, P = 0.04). Similarly, the intervention group revealed a significant improvement in the single-legged closed-eyed standing test (z = −2.16, P = 0.03) compared to the control group. Conclusion The study concluded that compared to the non-exercising control group, 12-week WBDA was shown to thicken vastus intermedius, increase muscle strength, and improve physical function in older women. In addition, this study provides a reference exercise program for older women.

Abstract As the population ages, the worldwide prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) as the most common dementia in the elderly is increasing dramatically. However, a long‐term challenge is to achieve rapid and accurate early diagnosis of AD by detecting hallmarks such as amyloid beta (Aβ42). Here, a multi‐channel microfluidic‐based plasmonic fiber‐optic biosensing platform is established for simultaneous detection and differentiation of multiple AD biomarkers. The platform is based on a gold‐coated, highly‐tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG) and a custom‐developed microfluidics. TFBG excites a high‐density, narrow‐cladding‐mode spectral comb that overlaps with the broad absorption of surface plasmons for high‐precision interrogation, enabling ultrasensitive monitoring of analytes. In situ detection and in‐parallel discrimination of different forms of Aβ42 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are successfully demonstrated with a detection of limit in the range of ≈30–170 pg mL−1, which is one order of magnitude below the clinical cut‐off level in AD onset, providing high detection sensitivity for early diagnosis of AD. The integration of the TFBG sensor with multi‐channel microfluidics enables simultaneous detection of multiple biomarkers using sub‐µL sample volumes, as well as combining initial binding rate and real‐time response time to differentiate between multiple biomarkers in terms of binding kinetics. With the advantages of multi‐parameter, low consumption, and highly sensitive detection, the sensor represents an urgently needed potentials for large‐scale diagnosis of diseases at early stage.

Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy and the most significant contributor to mortality in female oncology patients. Potassium Two Pore Domain Channel Subfamily K Member 1 (KCNK1) is differentially expressed in a variety of tumors, but the mechanism of its function in breast cancer is unknown. In this study, we found for the first time that KCNK1 was significantly up-regulated in human breast cancer and was correlated with poor prognosis in breast cancer patients. KCNK1 promoted breast cancer proliferation, invasion, and metastasis in vitro and vivo. Further studies unexpectedly revealed that KCNK1 increased the glycolysis and lactate production in breast cancer cells by binding to and activating lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), which promoted histones lysine lactylation to induce the expression of a series of downstream genes and LDHA itself. Notably, increased expression of LDHA served as a vicious positive feedback to reduce tumor cell stiffness and adhesion, which eventually resulted in the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of breast cancer. In conclusion, our results suggest that KCNK1 may serve as a potential breast cancer biomarker, and deeper insight into the cancer-promoting mechanism of KCNK1 may uncover a novel therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment.

A meaningful and practical phenomenon was observed and investigated, about which a synthesized (2-hydroxyethyl) triethylammonium bromide (NEt3(HE)Br) was used for catalytic cycloaddition of PO (propylene oxide) and CO2 (carbon dioxide) in a homogeneous state, and then separated from the reaction system in a heterogeneous state. The target products were first reported as additives to regulate the distribution of reactants and carbon dioxide (CO2) in the gas-liquid phase, as well as to facilitate the dissolution of NEt3(HE)Br. Under the optimal conditions of 0.2 mol% NEt3(HE)Br dosage, the PC yield (98.71 %) and TOF value (22.54 h−1) reached are significantly higher than the case of without PC addition. Besides, NEt3(HE)Br exhibited impressive stability after five catalytic cycles. The catalytic performances of different additives (i.e., alcohols, cyclic carbonate, amides, sulfones, petroleum ether, straight-chain carbonate and oxalate) were investigated, and their promotional effects and mechanisms were systematically elucidated. The transition behavior of dissolution-catalysis-precipitation process and intrinsic promoting mechanism of NEt3(HE)Br gave an efficient idea for a homogeneous catalytic reaction and heterogeneous separation of the catalyst. Meanwhile, this work provides an important theoretical and practical basis for efficient and facile catalyst synthesis and the corresponding reaction system design.

BackgroundGrass-legume mixture can effectively improve productivity and stimulate overyielding in artificial grasslands, but may be N-limited in semi-arid regions. This study investigated the effects of N addition on chlorophyll fluorescence and production in the grass-legume mixtures community.MethodsAn N addition experiment was conducted in the Bothriochloa ischaemum and Lespedeza davurica mixture community, with seven mixture ratios (B0L10, B2L8, B4L6, B5L5, B6L4, B8L2, and B10L0) according to the sowing abundance of B.ischaemum and L.davurica and four N addition levels, N0, N25, N50, and N75 (0,25,50,75kgNhm-2 a-1), respectively. We analyzed the response of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of the two species, the rapid light-response curves of chlorophyll fluorescence, as well as aboveground biomass (AGB) and overyielding.ResultsOur results showed that the two species showed different photosynthetic strategies, with L.davurica having significantly higher initial fluorescence (Fo), effective photochemical quantum yield of PSII (ΦPSII), and coefficient of photochemical fluorescence quenching (qP) than B. ischaemum, consisting with results of rapid light-response curves. N addition and mixture ratio both had significant effects on chlorophyll fluorescence and AGB (p