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The coupling coordination of digital economy and green high-quality development of industries is an important way for sustainable and high-quality economic development. This paper constructs an evaluation index system for the digital economy and industrial green high-quality development, and conducts empirical analysis using the coupling coordination model, the spatial autocorrelation model, and the Tobit model. The data from provinces and cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt spanning from 2008 to 2021 has been analyzed. Results show that both subsystems exhibit a good and rising coupling coordination, and the regional coupling coordination demonstrates a trend of higher values in the east and lower in the west. Moreover, there is interaction between provinces and cities, albeit with a weakening correlation after 2011. Additionally, spatial clustering is evident between regions with high and low coupling coordination. The coupling coordination degree of each region is impacted by important factors, such as economic development level, financial level, opening up, fiscal expenditure, and urbanization. Therefore, the study recommends policies aimed at boosting the coupling coordination level in the Yangtze River Economic Belt. Key policy proposals contain promoting the integration and innovation of digital technology and green low-carbon technology, strengthening regional cooperation through the transfer of industries, and adopting differentiated development strategies tailored to regional advantages and the varied impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate the value of adenosine injection in paclitaxel eluting PTCA balloon catheter. Methods A total of 200 patients undergoing drug-coated balloon angioplasty were randomly divided into control group receiving conventional treatment after the procedure, and observation group receiving adenosine injection for 3 hours continuously. All patients underwent coronary SYNTAX II scoring, and CK-MB, NT-proBNP, hs-CRP levels were recorded before and after PTCA for 6 hours, 12 hours, 18 hours, and 24 hours. A dedicated Israeli cardiac machine D-SPECT was used for rest + stress myocardial perfusion radionuclide imaging before and after the PTCA for 7 days. The total myocardial perfusion score under rest + stress myocardial perfusion in 17 segments was observed, as well as the adverse drug reactions after the PTCA. Results There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics, concomitant medication upon admission, coronary SYNTAX II score and PTCA treatment, mean target vessel stenosis, mean balloon diameter and length, CK-MB, NT-proBNP, hs-CRP before PTCA, and total myocardial perfusion score values under resting and stress myocardial perfusion distribution in 17 segments between the two groups (P > 0.05). The CK-MB, NT-proBNP, and hs-CRP values in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group at 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after PTCA (P < 0.05)-The total myocardial perfusion score under resting and stress myocardial perfusion distribution in 17 segments was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group at 7 days after PTCA (P < 0.05)-There was no significant difference in adverse drug reactions between the two groups of patients after PTCA (P > 0.05). Conclusions The application of adenosine injection in patients after drug-coated balloon therapy significantly reduced the CK-MB, NT-proBNP, and hs-CRP values 24 hours after PTCA, as well as the total myocardial perfusion score under resting and stress myocardial perfusion distribution in 17 segments 7 days after PTCA, without increasing significant adverse reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CCGA devices have been widely used in many high-reliability fields due to the excellent ability of absorbing mismatch of thermal expansion. In order to resolve the problems including the preparation and high-precision assembly of CCGA devices, this paper studies the preparation of ceramic shells, design of high-precision column planting tools, depositing of solder paste, and column planting of CCGA devices. By using high temperature cofired ceramic technique, two types of CCGA ceramic shells with daisy chains are prepared successfully, which can be used to design complex electronic circuits flexibly. High-precision column planting tools with 1.6 mm height and 0.54 mm diameter holes are designed and prepared. Solder printing and solder paste jetting methods are compared, and the later one is adopted to obtain more accuracy paste volume. The relative deviations of paste volumes are less than 10%. Based on these conditions, high-precision column planting CCGA devices, with column tilt< 1°, coplanarity<0.1 mm, and tolerance of position better than ±0.02 mm, are then obtained. This method can effectively improve the column planting accuracy and solder column symmetry of CCGA devices, and help to ensure the accuracy and reliability of subsequent board-level soldering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The East Siberia-Beaufort Sea (EsCB) sea ice during boreal autumn has recently been reported to play important roles in the climate over Eurasia and North America. The EsCB sea ice exhibits remarkable year-to-year fluctuations in autumn (August-October), the season in which its minimum extent usually occurs. However, the physical driver of the autumn EsCB sea ice interannual variability remains unclear, impeding the seasonal prediction of local sea ice. Here we find that the autumn EsCB sea ice variability is largely driven by the preceding summer (May-July) dipolar atmospheric anomalies over the North Atlantic, resembling the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) pattern. During the negative NAO-like phase, the circumpolar anticyclonic anomalies tend to transport the warm air from Greenland toward the EsCB region, which triggers rapid sea ice melt there. The associated EsCB sea ice anomalies can be maintained or even intensified by the local sea ice-albedo positive feedback until autumn. Therefore, the abnormal signals of Arctic sea ice tend to show significant persistence in summer and autumn. The influence of the summer NAO-like atmospheric circulation on the ensuing autumn EsCB sea ice can be realistically reproduced in the historical simulation of the E3SM-1-0 model, supporting our findings based on the observation. This lagged relationship provides a promising pathway for skillful seasonal prediction of the EsCB sea ice and its related climatic impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significance: Laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) is a real-time wide-field technique that is applied to visualize blood flow in biomedical applications. However, there is currently a lack of relevant research to demonstrate that it can measure velocities over a wide dynamic range (WDR), which is critical for monitoring much higher and more pulsatile blood flow in larger size myocardial vessels, such as the coronary artery bypass graft, and visualizing the spatio-temporal evolution of myocardial blood flow perfusion in cardiac surgery. Aim: We aim to demonstrate that the LSCI technique enables measuring velocities over a WDR from phantom experiments to animal experiments. In addition, LSCI is preliminarily applied to imaging myocardial blood flow distribution in vivo on rabbits. Approach: Phantom and animal experiments are performed to verify that the LSCI method has the ability to measure blood velocities over a wide range. Our method is also validated by transit time flow measurement, which is the gold standard for blood flow measurement in cardiac surgery. Results: Our method is demonstrated to measure the blood flow over a wide range from 0.2 to 635 mm/s. To validate the phantom results, the varying blood flow rate from 0 to 320 mm/s is detected in the rat carotid artery. Additionally, our technique also obtains blood flow maps of different myocardial vessels, such as superficial large/small veins, veins surrounded by fat, and myocardial deeper arteriole. Conclusions: Our study has the potential to visualize the spatio-temporal evolution of myocardial perfusion in coronary artery bypass grafting, which would be of great benefit for future research in the life sciences and clinical medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apple stem pitting virus is a species in the genus Foveavirus in the family Betaflexiviridae. Apple stem pitting virus (ASPV) commonly infects apple and pear plants grown worldwide. In this study, by integrating bimolecular fluorescence complementation, split‐ubiquitin‐based membrane yeast two‐hybrid, and Agrobacterium‐mediated expression assays, the interaction relationships and the subcellular locations of ASPV proteins TGBp1–3 and CP in Nicotiana benthamiana leaf cells were determined. Proteins CP, TGBp1, TGBp2, and TGBp3 were self‐interactable, and TGBp2 played a role in the formation of perinuclear viroplasm and enhanced the colocalization of TGBp3 with CP and TGBp1. We found that the plant microfilament and endoplasmic reticulum structures were involved in the production of TGBp3 and TGBp2 vesicles, and their disruption decreased the virus accumulation level in the systemic leaves. The TGBp3 motile vesicles functioned in delivering the viral ribonucleoprotein complexes to the plasma membrane. Two cysteine residues at sites 35 and 49 of the TGBp3 sorting signal were necessary for the diffusion of TGBp3‐marked vesicles. Furthermore, our results revealed that TGBp1, TGBp2, and CP could increase plasmodesmal permeability and move to the adjacent cells. This study demonstrates an interaction network and a subcellular location map of four ASPV proteins and for the first time provides insight into the functions of these proteins in the movement of a foveavirus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intersection of education and technology has witnessed a significant transformation in recent years, with a particular focus on optimizing remote learning experiences. Maintaining network resources for brass music education is crucial to ensure a seamless and effective learning experience. Hence, this paper proposed SDNcOIT (Software-Defined Networking cloud Optimal Information Technology) model in the context of brass music education, a discipline that demands real-time audio and video interactions. The proposed SDNcOIT model uses the cloud environment integrated SDN architecture for the evaluation of brass music education. The constru cted network comprises Software-Defined Networking, cloud technology, and a rule-based model, the SDNcOIT system presents a compelling case for enhancing the delivery of music education to students worldwide. The SDNcOIT model implemented the optimization model within the SDN environment for the analysis of the evaluation of the user experience in the cloud environment. The proposed SDNcOIT model uses the gradient descent optimization model for the computation of the brass music in the cloud environment. Through the implementation of the optimization process within the SDNcOIT the features are optimized in the cloud with SDN architecture for the analysis of user experience. The findings from this study reveal substantial performance improvements over time, exemplified by reduced latency, increased throughput, minimized packet loss, and elevated user satisfaction. These improvements are pivotal for a discipline where the quality of audio and video content is paramount. The scalability of the cloud infrastructure ensures that the system can accommodate varying dataset sizes, adapting seamlessly to the dynamic requirements of a growing brass music program. Furthermore, the rule-based model's growing adherence to network behavior results in an exceptionally efficient and well-optimized network, aligning harmoniously with the educational objectives of brass music instruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Music education has traditionally followed a one-size-fits-all approach, often failing to address the diverse needs and preferences of individual students. A recommender system for music education is a specialized software or algorithm that helps students, educators, or music enthusiasts discover and access relevant music content, learning materials, or educational resources. This paper introduces the Graph Theory-based Information Technology(GTIT) music learning system, a revolutionary platform designed to personalize music education. The GTIT system leverages advanced technology, data-driven recommendations, and social learning networks to enhance the musical journey for students. The proposed GTIT model uses the graph theory-based music education model for the estimation of the data features with information technology. The proposed GTIT model comprises the stacked recommender model for the classification of the appropriate features in the music education data. The data for the analysis of the proposed GTIT model is collected for the existing sources. With the extracted features the recommender system is designed for the classification and recommendation of the features related to the music education. The proposed model explores the key components of the GTIT system, including the assessment of students' musical preferences, skill levels, and learning patterns. These factors are analyzed to provide tailored music recommendations that keep students engaged and motivated. Additionally, the GTIT system employs graph theory to create connections among students, fostering collaboration and social learning. Simulation results reveals that students who engage with the learning system experience significant improvements in their musical skills and knowledge. The personalized recommendations and collaborative learning environment contribute to enhanced skill development and musical progress. Moreover, the sense of community established by the system encourages peer interaction and mentorship. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the GTIT music education system's impact on students' learning experiences, skill development, and collaborative efforts. The analysis expressed the transformative potential of personalized recommendations and networked learning environments in music education. The GTIT system serves as a model for the future of music instruction, offering a promising approach for educators and institutions seeking to provide engaging and personalized music education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A role of Yes1-associated transcriptional regulator (YAP) and WW domain-containing transcription regulator 1 (TAZ) in vascular and gastrointestinal contractility due to control of myocardin (Myocd) expression, which in turn activates contractile genes, has been demonstrated. Whether this transcriptional hierarchy applies to the urinary bladder is unclear. We found that YAP/TAZ are expressed in human detrusor myocytes and therefore exploited the Itga8-CreERT2 model for the deletion of YAP/TAZ. Recombination occurred in detrusor, and YAP/TAZ transcripts were reduced by >75%. Bladder weights were increased (by ≈22%), but histology demonstrated minimal changes in the detrusor, while arteries in the mucosa were inflamed. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) using the detrusor demonstrated reductions of Myocd (-79 ± 18%) and serum response factor (Srf) along with contractile genes. In addition, the cholinergic receptor muscarinic 2 (Chrm2) and Chrm3 were suppressed (-80 ± 23% and -80 ± 10%), whereas minute increases of Il1b and Il6 were seen. Unlike YAP/TAZ-deficient arteries, SRY (sex-determining region Y)-box 9 (Sox9) did not increase, and no chondrogenic differentiation was apparent. Reductions of smooth muscle myosin heavy chain 11 (Myh11), myosin light-chain kinase gene (Mylk), and Chrm3 were seen at the protein level. Beyond restraining the smooth muscle cell (SMC) program of gene expression, YAP/TAZ depletion silenced SMC-specific splicing, including exon 2a of Myocd. Reduced contractile differentiation was associated with weaker contraction in response to myosin phosphatase inhibition (-36%) and muscarinic activation (reduced by 53% at 0.3 µM carbachol). Finally, short-term overexpression of constitutively active YAP in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells increased myocardin (greater than eightfold) along with archetypal target genes, but contractile genes were unaffected or reduced. YAP and TAZ thus regulate myocardin expression in the detrusor, and this is important for SMC differentiation and splicing as well as for contractility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional wavefront sensors suffer from the fundamental limitation of the space‐bandwidth product and have a trade‐off between their spatial sampling interval and dynamic range. Here, nonlocal thin film optical filters with optimized angle‐ and polarization‐dependent responses are leveraged to circumvent the fundamental limitation, and a robust single‐shot wavefront sensing system with a small spatial sampling interval of 6.9 µm and a large angular dynamic range of 15° is realized. The system only requires inserting two multilayer dielectric filters, fabricated using a mature thin film deposition technique, into a conventional 4‐f imaging apparatus. The polarization‐sensitive nonlocal filters are used to map the 2D phase gradients of the incident light field to the intensity variation of the x‐ and y‐polarized light, respectively, thus enabling single‐shot 2D wavefront reconstruction from images taken by a polarization camera. Such a system may be used for a variety of applications, including high‐resolution image aberration correction, surface metrology, and quantitative phase imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thousands of long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) have been identified in plant genomes. While some lincRNAs have been characterized as important regulators in different biological processes, little is known about the transcriptional regulation for most plant lincRNAs. Through the integration of 8 annotation resources, we defined 6,599 high-confidence lincRNA loci in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). For lincRNAs belonging to different evolutionary age categories, we identified major differences in sequence and chromatin features, as well as in the level of conservation and purifying selection acting during evolution. Spatiotemporal gene expression profiles combined with transcription factor (TF) chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) data were used to construct a TF-lincRNA regulatory network containing 2,659 lincRNAs and 15,686 interactions. We found that properties characterizing lincRNA expression, conservation, and regulation differ between plants and animals. Experimental validation confirmed the role of 3 TFs, KANADI 1, MYB DOMAIN PROTEIN 44, and PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 4, as key regulators controlling root-specific lincRNA expression, demonstrating the predictive power of our network. Furthermore, we identified 58 lincRNAs, regulated by these TFs, showing strong root cell type-specific expression or chromatin accessibility, which are linked with genome-wide association studies genetic associations related to root system development and growth. The multilevel genome-wide characterization covering chromatin state information, promoter conservation, and chromatin immunoprecipitation-based TF binding, for all detectable lincRNAs across 769 expression samples, permits rapidly defining the biological context and relevance of Arabidopsis lincRNAs through regulatory networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine the effect of up-regulation of micro-ribonucleic acid-22 (miR-22) targeting nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) on the proliferation and invasiveness of malignant melanoma cells, as well as the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Mouse-derived melanoma B16 cells were subjected to thawing, sub-culture and transfection. The cells were assigned to groups (A1 - A5) in line with different transfections viz: A1 (miR-22 mimic overexpression-transfected), A2 (miR-22 inhibitor-transfected), A3 (miR-22 mimic+siNLRP3-transfected), A4 (miR-22 mimic NC sequence-transfected), and A5 (un-transfected). Results: The miR-22 expression was significantly up-regulated in A1, relative to A2, A3, A4, and A5 groups, but significantly lower, relative to A3, A4, and A5. The NLRP3 mRNA and protein levels were significantly lower in A1 than in other groups, but significantly up-regulated in A2, relative to A3, A4, and A5 (p < 0.05). Cell proliferation rate and colony formation rate were significantly lower in A1 group but were significantly up-regulated in A2, relative to A3, A4, and A5. Conclusion: Targeting NLRP3 inhibition by up-regulating miR-22 expression level significantly reduces the proliferation, invasiveness, and matrix metalloproteinase levels of melanoma B16 cells, thereby reducing the occurrence and development of malignant melanoma. The results provide some useful reference data for the treatment of malignant melanoma at the gene level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial assemblages inhabiting soils sheltered by rocks are widespread in the hyperarid and hypersaline Dalangtan Playa, which could contribute significant ly to the ecological processes in this desert ecosystem. Here, we performed geochemical and metagenomic analyses of soils below and beside rocks in the Dalangtan Playa. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra show more evident signals of organic aromatic molecules in soils below rocks than in nearby bare soils. Soils below rocks harbor distinct microbial communities and much higher biomass and Cyanobacteria abundance in comparison to soils beside rocks. High-quality genomes recovered by hybrid short- and long-read assembly reveal the previously underappreciated contribution of Actinobacteriota in sheltered soils to the primary production of desert ecosystems. In contrast to bare soil communities, the metabolic versatility of sheltered soil communities indicates their critical roles in carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycling in the Dalangtan Playa. Trace gases (CO and H2) could be significant energy sources for the respiration and sometimes carbon fixation of both bare and sheltered soil microorganisms in nutrient-deprived environments. The presence of multiple stress response genes against DNA damage, oxidative stress, and osmotic stress, as well as pathways for the biosynthesis and uptake of compatible solutes in genomes across all samples, reveals their capacity for tolerating polyextreme conditions. IMPORTANCE The hyperarid Dalangtan Playa in the western Qaidam Basin, northwestern China, is a unique terrestrial analog of Mars. Despite the polyextreme environments of this area, habitats below translucent rocks capable of environmental buffering could serve as refuges for microbial life. In this study, the hybrid assembly of Illumina short reads and Nanopore long reads recovered high-quality and high-continuity genomes, allowing for high-accuracy analysis and a deeper understanding of extremophiles in the sheltered soils of the Dalangtan Playa. Our findings reveal self-supporting and metabolically versatile sheltered soil communities adapted to a hyperarid and hypersaline playa, which provides implications for the search for life signals on Mars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A powdery mildew was found on Leontopodium leontopodioides (Asteraceae) in China. Phylogenetic analyses using a combination of internal transcribed spacer and 28S rDNA sequences showed that this species, which clusters as sister to Neoerysiphe joerstadii, is allied to N. galii, N. geranii, and N. nevoi. This species differs from the closely allied N. joerstadii in the number and size of asci (3-10 asci, 55-75 x 20-40 µm versus 16-32 asci, 40-60 x 20-30 µm). This species is morphologically very similar to N. gnaphalii, but clearly differs from this species in having larger chasmothecia and colorless appendages. Therefore, the powdery mildew on L. leontopodioides is described as N. leontopodii sp. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the accumulation of nitrite in upper oceans, forming the primary nitrite maximum (PNM), and investigates nitrification in cyclonic eddies in the western North Pacific subtropical gyre (wNPSG) where nitrite concentrations are relatively low. The study finds that cyclonic eddies in wNPSG enhance nitrite oxidation more than ammonia oxidation.

Dynamic fuzzy characteristics are ubiquitous in a lot of scientific and engineering problems. Specifically, the physical systems and learning processes in machine learning are dynamic and fuzzy in general. This fact has driven researchers to integrate dynamic elements into fuzzy theory and proposed dynamic fuzzy sets and dynamic fuzzy logic. Based on these pioneering theoretical works and various theories for uncertain datasets, an innovative machine learning paradigm that is referred to as dynamic fuzzy machine learning (DFML) was proposed in the early 2000s. DFML extends existing fuzzy machine learning paradigms to deal with dynamic fuzzy problems in machine learning activities. This article provides an insightful overview of DFML by surveying the field from basics to advances in five aspects: (1) the theoretical basics; (2) the system and the learning model; (3) typical DFML methods and categorization of the methods; (4) the open challenges; and (5) the research frontiers. As the first survey addressing the topic, this article intends to help more researchers better understand the basics and state-of-the-art in this field, find the most appropriate tools for a particular application, and identify possible directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammation is a hallmark of esophagitis. Rutaecarpine or rutecarpine is an alkaloid compound with both anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activity. Here, we sought to evaluate potential protective effects of Rutaecarpine on reflux esophagitis in a murine model of the disease, which was treated with different doses of Rutaecarpine (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg) and Omeprazole (20 mg/kg) for 6h, the results of which were compared with a non-esophagitis control group. Biochemical markers were measured based on tissue and serum samples collected from esophagitis-positive and control animals. Rutaecarpine significantly reduced macrophage cell viability, while negatively regulating nitric oxide (NO) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Rutaecarpine treatment was associated with marked reversal of esophageal lesions, reduced gastric secretion and activity (P<0.001), increased gastric pH and SH groups, as well as reduced levels of H2O2, free iron, calcium (P<0.001). Additionally, Rutaecarpine treatment negatively regulated the expression of H+K+ATPase and histamine, while markedly altering the levels of lactoperoxidase (LPO), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) glutathione (GSH) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) (P<0.001). Rutaecarpine was found to confer protective effects against esophagitis in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electromagnetic tomography is a process detection technology based upon the principles of electromagnetic induction. The forward problem model and sensitivity distribution matrix of electromagnetic tomography are introduced as the basis of the inverse problem. The search direction and iterative parameters of the conjugate gradient algorithm are modified to improve the quality and convergence of image reconstruction. A new spectral parameter conjugate gradient algorithm is described to modify the search direction, which is used to control the angle between the old and new search directions. The search direction is determined according to the iteration of each step in order to find the optimal solution. Combining the advantages of the Fletcher-Reeves and Polak-Ribiere-Polyak algorithms in the nonlinear conjugate gradient algorithm, they are mixed in a specific proportion to obtain a new hybrid conjugate gradient algorithm. In order to verify the effectiveness of the modified conjugate gradient algorithm, three physical models of electromagnetic tomography system are constructed, and the modified conjugate gradient algorithm is compared with the traditional algorithm. The experimental results show that the reconstructed image quality of the modified spectral conjugate gradient algorithm is higher and has better numerical performance. The hybrid conjugate gradient algorithm highlights the advantages of the Fletcher-Reeves and Polak-Ribiere-Polyaks algorithms. The convergence speed is faster than the Polak-Ribiere-Polyak method, and the imaging quality is higher than the other algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Previous reports showed that mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) could support pluripotent stem cell selfrenewal and maintain their pluripotency. The goal of this study was to reveal whether the decellularized extracellular matrix derived from MEFs (MEF-ECM) is beneficial to promote the proliferation of inner ear-derived cells. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, we prepared a cell-free MEF-ECM through decellularization. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and immunofluorescent staining were conducted for phenotype characterization. Organs of Corti were dissected from postnatal day 2 and the inner ear-derived cells were obtained. The identification of inner ear-derived cells was conducted by using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to evaluate the proliferation capability of inner ear-derived cells cultured on the MEFECM and tissue culture plate (TCP). Results: The MEF-ECM was clearly observed after decellularization via SEM, and the immunofluorescence staining results revealed that MEF-ECM was composed of three proteins, including collagen I, fibronectin and laminin. Most importantly, the results of CCK-8 showed that compared with TCP, MEF-ECM could effectively facilitate the proliferation of inner ear-derived cells. Conclusion: The discovery of the potential of MEF-ECM in promoting inner ear-derived cell proliferation indicates that the decellularized matrix microenvironment may play a vital role in keeping proliferation ability of these cells. Our findings indicate that the use of MEF-ECM may serve as a novel approach for expanding inner ear-derived cells and potentially facilitating the clinical application of inner ear-derived cells for hearing loss in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the first leading cause of death worldwide. Therefore, novel therapeutic strategies need to be explored. Numerous publications reported that microRNA-654-5p (miR-654-5p) had anti-cancer activities in various cancers, and it was proven to modulate cell migration, invasion, and proliferation, which played critical roles in CAD. However, its role in CAD is unknown. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the role of miR-654-5p in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) involved in CAD. A total of 25 CAD patients and 19 healthy individuals were enrolled to evaluate their circulating miR-654-5p levels. miR-654-5p mimic or inhibitor were transfected into human VSMCs to assess their role on cell migration and proliferation. Target genes of miR-654-5p were predicted using TargetScan 7.2 and confirmed by the dual-luciferase reporter assay. miR-654-5p was significantly downregulated in the plasma of CAD patients and tumor necrosis factor-a/platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-stimulated VSMCs. miR-654-5p mimic inhibited the proliferation and migration of VSMCs, which could be promoted by miR-654-5p inhibitor. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-7 (ADAMTS-7) was identified as the direct target of miR-654-5p, whose expression could be induced by miR-654-5p inhibitor and decreased by its mimic. In addition, ADAMTS-7 overexpression blocked the inhibitory effect of miR-654-5p on the migration and proliferation of VSMCs. In summary, miR-654-5p inhibits the migration and proliferation of VSMCs by directly targeting ADAMTS-7, and miR-654-5p might serve as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of CAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence and prevalence of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MRAB) poses a huge challenge to clinical treatment. To investigate the genetic and epidemiologic characteristics of MRAB in Liaocheng, China, and to explore potential resistance mechanisms, 56 MRAB strains were collected from the clinical departments of seven hospitals in Liaocheng between 2020 and 2022. Molecular typing, antimicrobial resistance patterns, and epidemiological characteristics were determined by genome sequencing and comparative genome analysis. Sequence type (ST) 540 was the most prevalent ST of the 56 MRAB in Liaocheng, and most strains (92.86%) were grouped into CC92. Core genome multilocus sequence typing subdivided the strains according to the number of allelic differences and could distinguish different outbreaks caused by ST540 isolates in the hospitals. All the isolates harbored blaOXA-23 and blaADC-25, and at least 92.86% of the isolates were resistant to 10 antibiotics. The major MRAB epidemic clone detected in Liaocheng was ST540, which was different from the results reported in other regions in China. Furthermore, several inter-hospital transmissions of ST540 isolates were observed. The findings highlight the urgent need for effective nosocomial infection control measures and the continuous surveillance of ST540 MRAB in Liaochen [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impressive conversational and programming abilities of ChatGPT make it an attractive tool for facilitating the education of bioinformatics data analysis for beginners. In this study, we proposed an iterative model to fine-tune instructions for guiding a chatbot in generating code for bioinformatics data analysis tasks. We demonstrated the feasibility of the model by applying it to various bioinformatics topics. Additionally, we discussed practical considerations and limitations regarding the use of the model in chatbot-aided bioinformatics education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the potential benefits of using virtual reality (VR) technology in the teaching of ultrasonography. VR technology can provide an immersive learning experience, enabling students to interact with simulated environments and practice various tasks. Ultrasonography has the characteristics of convenient, rapid, real-time feedback, and dynamic, and is indispensable in practical clinical disease diagnosis applications. Combining VR and ultrasound technology can provide a unique and effective teaching method for medical students and medical professionals. This article mainly discusses the current situation, advantages, and challenges of virtual reality technology in the teaching of ultrasonography to ensure their successful implementation in an educational environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As subsystems of the Asian summer monsoon, summer precipitation variations in India and the northern part of eastern China (NEC) are physically connected. This study noted that the connection has been significantly enhanced after 1999 compared to 1979-98, which is due to the strengthened water vapor transportation connection between the two regions. That is associated with interdecadal variations of the combined effects of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) over the tropical Indian Ocean (TIO) on the northwest Pacific subtropical high (NWPSH) and the Indo-Pacific Walker cell. Against the background of La Niña, the strengthened NWPSH and Indo-Pacific Walker cell favor water vapor transport to India and the NEC since 1999. Accordingly, summer precipitation in the two regions increases simultaneously, leading to the enhancement of the summer precipitation teleconnection between them. In addition, the influence of TIO SSTAs and the Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) on Indo-Pacific circulations decreases, which further enhances the relative importance of ENSO on the summer precipitation in the two regions. However, during 1979-98, La Niña SSTAs has weak effects on the NWPSH and Indo-Pacific Walker cell, the negative TIO SSTAs significantly weaken NWPSH, and the negative IOD also obstructs the westward extension of the Indo-Pacific Walker cell. Circulations and water vapor transportation related to the Indian Ocean and NEC summer precipitation are inconsistent, resulting in a weak precipitation teleconnection between them. The above conclusions are also validated by extreme case analysis and CMIP6 models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using data from the 2020 and 2021 cycles of the Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health, we examined suicidal ideation among adults in Canada aged 18 to 34 years. The prevalence of suicidal ideation among adults aged 18 to 34 years was 4.2% in fall 2020 and 8.0% in spring 2021. The subgroup of adults aged 18 to 24 years had the highest prevalence of suicidal ideation, 10.7%, in spring 2021. Prevalence varied by sociodemographic characteristics and tended to be higher among people living in materially deprived areas. Suicidal ideation was strongly associated with pandemic-related stressors respondents experienced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steam flooding with the assistance of carbon dioxide (CO2) and chemicals is an effective approach for enhancing super heavy oil recovery. However, the promotion and application of CO2 and chemical agentassisted steam flooding technology have been restricted by the current lack of research on the synergistic effect of CO2 and chemical agents on enhanced steam flooding heat transfer. The novel experiments on CO2-echemicals cooperate affected steam condensation and seepage were conducted by adding CO2 and two chemicals (sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and the betaine temperature-salt resistant foaming agent ZK-05200). According to the experimental findings, a "film" formed on the heat-transfer medium surface following the co-injection of CO2 and the chemical to impede the steam heat transfer, reducing the heat transfer efficiency of steam, heat flux and condensation heat transfer coefficient. The steam seepage experiment revealed that the temperature at the back end of the sandpack model was dramatically raised by 3.5e12.8 °C by adding CO2 and chemical agents, achieving the goal of driving deep-formation heavy oil. The combined effect of CO2 and SDS was the most effective for improving steam heat transfer, the steam heat loss was reduced by 6.2%, condensation heat transfer coefficient was decreased by 15.5%, and the heavy oil recovery was enhanced by 9.82%. Theoretical recommendations are offered in this study for improving the CO2-echemicalassisted steam flooding technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Social isolation and loneliness are associated with poorer mental health among older adults. However, less is known about how these experiences are independently associated with positive mental health (PMH) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We analyzed data from the 2020 and 2021 cycles of the Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health to provide estimates of social isolation (i.e. living alone), loneliness and PMH outcomes (i.e. high self-rated mental health, high community belonging, mean life satisfaction) in the overall older adult population (i.e. 65+ years) and across sociodemographic groups. We also conducted logistic and linear regressions to separately and simultaneously examine how social isolation and loneliness are associated with PMH. Results: Nearly 3 in 10 older adults reported living alone, and over a third reported feelings of loneliness due to the pandemic. When examined separately, living alone and loneliness were each associated with lower PMH. When assessed simultaneously, loneliness remained a significant independent factor associated with all three PMH outcomes (overall and across all sociodemographic groups), but living alone was only a significant factor for high community belonging in the overall population, for males and for those aged 65 to 74 years. Conclusion: Overall, social isolation and loneliness were associated with poorer wellbeing among older adults in Canada during the pandemic. Loneliness remained a significant factor related to all PMH outcomes after adjusting for social isolation, but not vice versa. The findings highlight the need to appropriately identify and support lonely older adults during (and beyond) the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Myostatin (MSTN) is a highly conserved protein that acts as a negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth. MSTN gene is closely associated with multiple biological functions and its mutations are directly linked to muscle development in different species. Loss of MSTN functionality causes the phenotype to appear in the form of ‘double musculature’, among others in cattle, sheep and house mice. Methods: The mixed DNA pool of Boer and Dazu black goats to sequence MSTN coding and noncoding regions. Snapshot typing technology was used to analyse three goat production types, namely, Boer (meat goats), Nubian (breast and meat dual-use goat), Dazu black (local breeds) and Youzhou black goats (local breeds). Polymorphic loci in MSTN were used from four goat populations to construct haplotypes and calculate haplotype frequency distribution through NETWORK and MEGA to construct a phylogenetic tree and visualize phylogenetic relationship. Result: From these populations, 18 haplotypes were constructed using 20 polymorphic loci. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a significant difference in the haplotype distribution of MSTN in different goat production types. The 18 haplotypes were divided into two clusters. The haplotypes carried by the Boer goat belonged to Cluster I and those carried by the Nubian goat and two local goat breeds belonged to both clusters. Chinese local goats and complex production goats carried more haplotypes of MSTN and had a richer genetic diversity than other production types did. Moreover, local and complex production goats had high-frequency haplotypes of the MSTN of meat goats and had high potential for breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Recent evidence has suggested that there has been an increase in suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our objectives were to estimate the likelihood of suicidal ideation among adults in Canada who experienced pandemic-related impacts and to determine if this likelihood changed during the pandemic. Methods: We analyzed pooled data for 18 936 adults 18 years or older from two cycles of the Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health collected from 11 September to 4 December 2020 and from 1 February to 7 May 2021. We estimated the prevalence of suicidal ideation since the pandemic began and conducted logistic regression to evaluate the likelihood of suicidal ideation by adults who experienced pandemic-related impacts, and by factors related to social risk, mental health status, positive mental health indicators and coping strategies. Results: Adults who had adverse pandemic-related experiences were significantly more likely to experience suicidal ideation; a dose-response relationship was evident. People who increased their alcohol or cannabis use, expressed concerns about violence in their home or who had moderate to severe symptoms of depression, anxiety or posttraumatic stress disorder also had significantly higher risk of suicidal ideation. The risk was significantly lower among people who reported high self-rated mental health, community belonging or life satisfaction, who exercised for their mental and/or physical health or who pursued hobbies. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced suicidal ideation in Canada. Our study provides evidence for targeted public health interventions related to suicide prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The myostatin (MSTN) gene is a negative regulator of animal muscle growth and development. This gene not only inhibits muscle cell growth and reduces fat accumulation but also exerts a significant effect on back fat thickness, birth weight and carcass traits. MSTN gene mutation, an important factor that influences economic traits, directly affects the growth and development of animals and consequently the quality of animal products. This paper reviews the structural and functional characteristics of the MSTN gene. The genetic variation of the MSTN gene is then compared among four domestic animals (cattle, sheep, goat and pig) and its correlation with important economic traits is analysed. The mechanism and structural characteristics of MSTN gene mutants are further discussed. This paper provides explication on the application of MSTN gene research in breeding and its importance to the advancement of animal husbandry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Gliomas are the most common and life-threatening intracranial tumors. Immune infiltration of the tumor microenvironment significantly affects tumor prognosis in glioma. Recently, PLEKHA4 was reported to be upregulated in melanoma and closely associated with tumor genesis and development, but its role in glioma is poorly understood. Our aim was to investigate the expression, functional role, and prognostic value of PLEKHA4 in glioma. Methods. The expression levels of PLEKHA4 in 33 types of cancer in the TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) database were collected via the UCSC Xena browser. The clinical samples of glioma patients were downloaded from the TCGA database. Immunohistochemistry was used to verify PLEKHA4 expression in tumor tissues. We assessed the influence of PLEKHA4 on survival of glioma patients by survival module and GEPIA. Then, we downloaded datasets of glioma from TCGA and investigated the correlations between the clinical characteristics and PLEKHA4 expression using logistic regression. Moreover, we used TIMER to explore the collection of PLEKHA4 expression and immune infiltration level in glioma and to analyze cumulative survival in glioma. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was performed using the TCGA dataset. Results. PLEKHA4 transcript levels were significantly upregulated in multiple cancer types, including gliomas. Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis verified that PLEKHA4 was overexpressed in gliomas compare to the corresponding normal tissues. Univariable survival and multivariate cox analysis show that increased PLEKHA4 expression significantly correlated with age, tumor grade, IDH mutation status, and 1p/19q codel status, and higher PLEKHA4 had shorter OS, DSS, and PFI. Specifically, PLEKHA4 expression level had significant positive correlations with infiltrating levels of B cell, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and DCs in glioma, and upregulation of PLEKHA4 expression was significantly related to immune cell biomarkers and immune checkpoint expression in glioma. In addition, several GO and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) items associated with immune response, JAK STAT signal pathway, and cell cycle were significantly enriched in the high PLEKHA4 expression phenotype pathway. Conclusions. Our findings proposed that PLEKHA4 was an independent prognostic biomarker and correlated with immune infiltrates in glioma, and targeting PLEKHA4 might improve immunotherapy in glioma. Of course, these findings also need basic experiments and further clinical trials to confirm in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Community Coupler (C-Coupler) for Earth system modeling is a coupler family that has been developed in China since 2010. C-Coupler3.0, the latest version, is fully compatible with the previous version, C-Coupler2, and is an integrated infrastructure with new features. i.e., a series of parallel optimization technologies for accelerating coupling initialization and reducing memory usage, a common halo-exchange library for developing a parallel version of a model, a common module-integration framework for integrating a software module (e.g., a flux algorithm, a parameterization scheme, and a data assimilation method), a common framework for conveniently developing a weakly coupled ensemble data assimilation system, and a common framework for flexibly inputting and outputting fields in parallel. Specifically, C-Coupler3.0 is able to handle coupling under much finer resolutions (e.g., more than 100 million horizontal grid cells) with fast coupling initialization and successful generation of remapping weight files. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To exaluate the effect of perfluorocarbon on lung ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats, and to unravel the potential underlying mechanism. Methods: A total of 36 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned to sham group, model group, and perfluorocarbon group (12 rats per group). The levels of inflammatory factors (TNF-α and IL-1β) were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cell apoptosis was evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, while Western blotting was conducted to determine the protein expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB. Results: The levels of inflammatory factors in the model and perfluorocarbon groups were significantly higher than those in operation group (p < 0.05), while their levels in perfluorocarbon group were significantly lower than in model group (p < 0.05). The mRNA expression levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in lung tissues rose significantly in both model and perfluorocarbon groups when compared with those in sham group (p < 0.05), but declined significantly in the perfluorocarbon group in comparison with those in model group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the perfluorocarbon group exhibited a significantly lower cell apoptosis than model group (p < 0.05). The relative protein expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB declined significantly in perfluorocarbon group than in model group. Conclusions: Perfluorocarbon down-regulates the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, and inhibits inflammation and cell apoptosis after lung ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats, thereby improving their lung function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION This study examined the prevalence of tobacco exposure and drinking and ascertained the relationships between tobacco exposure, alcohol drinking, concurrent smoking and drinking, and hypertension in rural southwestern China. METHODS Data were collected from a cross-sectional health interview and examination survey, which included 7572 adults aged ≥35 years, in rural China. Participant demographic characteristics, smoking habits, exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS), and alcohol drinking habits were obtained using a standard questionnaire. Blood pressure (BP), height, weight, and waist circumference were measured for each participant. RESULTS The overall prevalence of smoking, SHS exposure, drinking, concurrent smoking and drinking, concurrent exposure to SHS and drinking, and hypertension was 37.7%, 27.4%, 16.2%, 12.6%, 1.6%, and 41.3%, respectively. Males had a significantly higher prevalence of smoking (74.1% vs 2.2%, p<0.01), drinking (31.1% vs 1.7%, p<0.01), and concurrent smoking and drinking than females (25.3% vs 0.3%, p<0.01). However, females had a higher prevalence of SHS exposure than males (30.2% vs 20.6%, p<0.01). Ethnic minorities had a higher prevalence of SHS exposure, drinking, and concurrent smoking and drinking, than Han participants (p<0.01). Participants with a higher education level had a higher prevalence of smoking, drinking, and concurrent smoking and drinking than their counterparts (p<0.01). In contrast, participants with a lower education level had a higher prevalence of SHS exposure than their counterparts (p<0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis found that smokers (AOR=1.31; 95% CI: 1.13-1.51), individuals exposed to SHS (AOR=1.24; 95% CI: 1.11-1.43), drinkers (AOR=1.31; 95%: CI: 1.15-1.50), and concurrent smokers and drinkers (AOR=1.45; 95% CI: 1.25-1.67) all had a higher probability of having hypertension (p<0.01). Additionally, concurrent smoking and drinking had the strongest association with the prevalence of hypertension (AOR=1.45; 95% CI: 1.25-1.67; p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Socioeconomic factors play an important role in influencing the prevalence of smoking, exposure to SHS, and drinking in rural southwest China. Interventions to prevent and reduce hypertension should, in particular, focus on smokers, individuals exposed to SHS, drinkers, and, in particular, concurrent smokers and drinkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in payload capacity of trucks has heightened the demand for cost-effective yet high performance brake discs. In this work, the thermal fatigue and wear of compacted graphite iron brake discs were investigated, aiming to provide an experimental foundation for achieving a balance between their thermal and mechanical properties. Compacted graphite iron brake discs with different tensile strengths, macrohardnesses, specific heat capacities and thermal diffusion coefficients were produced by changing the proportion and strength of ferrite. The peak temperature, pressure load and friction coefficient of compacted graphite iron brake discs were analyzed through inertia friction tests. The morphology of thermal cracks and 3D profiles of the worn surfaces were also discussed. It is found that the thermal fatigue of compacted graphite iron discs is determined by their thermal properties. A compacted graphite iron with the highest specific heat capacity and thermal diffusion coefficient exhibits optimal thermal fatigue resistance. Oxidization of the matrix at low temperatures significantly weakens the function of alloy strengthening in hindering the propagation of thermal cracks. Despite the reduced hardness, increasing the ferrite proportion can mitigate wear loss resulting from low disc temperatures and the absence of abrasive wear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interspecific competition is an important mechanism of ecological community construction, which potentially contributes to resource differentiation and promotes the coexistence of sympatric species. Determining the food composition and resource differentiation of the whooper swans (Cygnus cygnus) and tundra swans (C. columbianus), can facilitate efforts to protect them. In this study, fecal microscopic analysis was conducted to analyze the feeding habits of whooper swans and tundra swans migrating to the Baotou Yellow River Wetland from February to May 2020; their food niche width and overlap were calculated, and the following results were obtained. The whooper swan's diet consisted of nine species from four families of plants, mainly corn (Zea mays), reed (Phragmites australis), and halophytes (Suaeda glauca). The diet of the tundra swan comprised eleven species from five families of plants, mainly corn, quinoa (Chenopodium album) and millet (Panicum miliaceum). The food niche widths of the whooper swan and tundra swan in the Yellow River Wetland in Baotou were 2.75 and 5.18, respectively. There were five main species of food plants in total, and the index of niche overlap was 0.65. The food diversity of the tundra swan was greater than that of the whooper swan, indicating that the Yellow River wetland provides relatively diverse food resources for the tundra swans and whooper swans, thereby reducing competition and facilitating coexistence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To explore the value of continuous nursing (CN) based on WeChat in improving healthy quality of life and self-management behavior of patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN). Methods. A total of 100 patients with DN who were treated in our hospital from November 2019 to January 2020 were selected. Thereinto, 54 patients who received CN based on WeChat were considered as the research group, and 46 patients who received the routine nursing intervention were considered as the control group. Peripheral blood samples were collected before nursing intervention (T0), 1 month after intervention (T1), and 2 months after intervention (T2) to test blood glucose, blood lipid, and renal function. Exercise of self-care agency (ESCA) scale and general self-efficacy scale (GSES) was conducted to evaluate patients' self-management ability, and a short-form 36-item health survey (SF-36) was conducted to evaluate their quality of life. Finally, the treatment compliance and satisfaction of patients were investigated. Results. There was no marked difference in blood glucose, blood lipid, and renal function between groups at T0 (P > 0.05), but the research group was better than the control group at T1 and T2 (P < 0.05). After the nursing intervention, the scores of ESCA, GSES, and SF-36 in the research group were higher (P < 0.05). In addition, the treatment compliance rate and satisfaction of the research group were also higher. Conclusion. CN based on WeChat can effectively improve the self-management behavior and quality of life of DN patients, which is extremely suitable for such chronic diseases with extremely long treatment cycles and can provide a more effective guarantee for their recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new series of carbosilane quaternary ammonium surfactants with different hydrophobic carbosilane structures (triethylsilyl, triisopropylsilyl, trihexylsilyl, triphenylsilyl) and tail groups (C12, C16, C18) have been synthesized and the structures of the organosilicon carbosilane quaternary ammonium surfactants were determined by means of FTIR, NMR and elemental analysis. The properties of aqueous solutions were determined by electrical conductivity measurements and with the method of maximum bubble formation. Members of this series reduced the surface tension of water to approximately 30.5 mN/m at concentration levels of 0.14 mmol/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phylogenetic and morphological analyses have been conducted on powdery mildew specimens on different Berberis and Mahonia spp. from Asia, Europe and North America. The present study showed that collections of Erysiphe berberidis exhibit a high degree of morphological plasticity of the sexual morph, in contrast to their morphologically, rather uniform, asexual morph. In phylogenetic tree, all sequences cluster in a large strongly supported clade, without any indication and support for further differentiation into cryptic species. There are three morphological types within E. berberidis s. lat. that contain consistent differences. Until future multi-locus analyses will be available, we prefer to treat these 'morphological types' as varieties. These include Erysiphe berberidis var. berberidis, E. berberidis var. asiatica, and E. berberidis var. dimorpha comb. nov. (≡ Microsphaera berberidis var. dimorpha, M. berberidicola, and M. multappendicis). To fix the application of species name E. berberidis, an appropriate epitype was designated, with an ITS sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several micro fungi were gathered from bamboo and palm in Guizhou Province, China. In morphology, these taxa resemble Neomassaria, Roussoella and Oxydothis. Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses based on combined ITS, LSU, SSU, rpb2 and tef1 loci confirmed that two are new geographical records for China, (viz. Roussoella siamensis, Neomassaria fabacearum), while two of them are new to science (viz. Oxydothis fortunei sp. nov. and Roussoella bambusarum sp. nov.). The stromata of Roussoella bambusarum are similar to those of R. thailandica, but its ascospores are larger. In addition, multi-gene phylogenetic analyses show that Oxydothis fortunei is closely related to O. inaequalis, but the J-ascus subapical ring as well as the ascospores of O. inaequalis are smaller. Morphological descriptions and illustrations of all species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aging is a major global challenge, and there is growing demand for new strategies to address the burden of aging. The intensive search for antiaging agents has led to the discovery of a variety of drugs that promote the extension of healthspan and/or life. Metformin is a safe, effective, and globally affordable antihyperglycemic agent that has gained much attention in recent years as a potential antiaging treatment. Metformin has been shown to significantly delay the onset of age-related diseases and increase lifespan in several model organisms. In this paper, we reviewed aging hallmarks and the role of metformin in countering these hallmarks. We examined the beneficial effects of metformin on several age-related diseases and the feasibility of metformin as an agent to extend lifespan and healthspan. Finally, we discussed new research directions to better understand the translational potential of metformin in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofertilizer and organic fertilizer (OF) are potential alternative strategies for agriculture sustainability. However, their effects on soil gross nitrogen (N) transformation and the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Therefore, in this study, using Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (BA) as a biofertilizer agent, a 15N tracer was employed to quantify soil gross N transformation rates in acidic soils under tea cultivation with four treatments: no fertilizer application (F0, control), only BA application (BA treatment), only OF application (OF treatment), and BA plus OF applications (BAOF treatment). Compared with F0 treatment, BA and OF treatments increased soil nitrate (NO 3 −) and total inorganic N concentrations. The gross rates of total organic N mineralization (M Ntotal) and total NH 4 + immobilization were significantly decreased by BA and BAOF treatments but increased by OF treatment. Soil microbial biomass N concentration; 4-β-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG), leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), and urease activities; and ureC abundance were decreased by BA and BAOF treatments, whereas NAG and LAP activities and ureC abundance were increased by OF treatment; these modifications were probably responsible for the opposite effect on M Ntotal. Meanwhile, BA, OF, and BAOF treatments significantly increased the gross autotrophic nitrification (O NH4) rate by 105.2%, 270.5%, and 129.6%, respectively, which was attributed to increased soil pH and ammonia-oxidizing archaea abundance. BAOF treatment led to a higher gross NO 3 − immobilization (I NO3) rate than F0 treatment. The net NO 3 − production, which indicates N loss risk, increased with BA and OF treatments and decreased with BAOF treatment. Thus, BA and OF applications increased soil N availability and N loss risk associated with enhanced O NH4 , whereas BAOF treatment reduced N loss risk by enhancing I NO3. This study provides insights into the mechanisms underlying the effects of OF and BA applications on N availability and N loss risk in acidic soils, especially emphasizes the effects of OF plus BA applications on soil N availability and N loss, which would be great benefit for agricultural production and environment. • Organic fertilizer and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens increased soil N availability. • B. amyloliquefaciens decreased soil mineralization – immobilization turnover. • Organic fertilizer increased soil mineralization – immobilization turnover. • Three fertilization treatments all increased gross autotrophic nitrification rate. • Organic fertilizer and B. amyloliquefaciens together promoted NO 3 − immobilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the discussion on design concepts and sensing strategies providing a realistic pathway in building biointegrated electronics for wireless biochemical sensing. Topics include inductor-capacitor oscillator through a pair of varactor diodes converting a change in electric potential into a modulation in capacitance; and cost of health care motivating the continued research efforts for developing personalized, precise, and preventive medicine.

Camellia seed shell (CSS) was torrefied at 200, 230, 260, and 290 °C for 30 minutes in a tubular reactor under a nitrogen atmosphere. The effect of temperature on the fuel quality and combustion characteristics of the torrefaction samples was investigated. The pyrolysis characteristics and kinetics of the raw materials at different heating rates were studied. Compared to the raw material, the roasted samples had an increase in the higher heating value (HHV) range of 0.33 to 4.18 MJ/kg, which reached 24.21 MJ/kg at 290 °C. The mass and energy yield ranged from 93.8% to 65.2%. The decrease in energy yield was much higher than the increase in HHV. The enhancement factor and energy yield correlated well (R2> 0.99). The combustion behavior and kinetics of the torrefaction samples were studied in detail using the First Order Pseudo Bi-component Separate-stage Model (PBSM-O1). From an economic point of view, the best torrefaction temperature for CSS was 260 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Powdery mildew was found on Aristolochia debilis (Aristolochiaceae) in Jiangsu Province and Shandong Province, China. This fungus is characterized by having long conidiophore foot-cells which are straight or curved at the base, and chasmothecia with numerous appendages. Phylogenetic analysis using internal transcribed spacer sequences showed that five sequences on A. debilis determined in this study and two sequences retrieved from Erysiphe sp. on A. debilis formed an independent cluster within the Erysiphe aquilegiae clade with 58% bootstrap support. This powdery mildew differs from allied species of the E. aquilegiae clade in producing longer conidia and conidio-phores with longer foot-cells, which are often curved at the base. Morphological observations and molecular phylogenetic analysis revealed a new powdery mildew species, described as Erysiphe ruyongzhengiana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L-Sorbose is an essential intermediate for the industrial production of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid). However, the formation of fructose and some unknown by-products significantly reduces the conversion ratio of D-sorbitol to Lsorbose. This study aimed to identify the key D-sorbitol dehydrogenases in Gluconobacter oxydans WSH-003 by gene knockout. Then, a total of 38 dehydrogenases were knocked out in G. oxydans WSH-003, and 23 dehydrogenase-deficient strains could increase L-sorbose production. G. oxydans-30, wherein a pyrroloquinoline quinone-dependent glucose dehydrogenase was deleted, showed a significant reduction of a by-product with the extension of fermentation time. In addition, the highest conversion ratio of 99.60% was achieved in G. oxydans MD-16, in which 16 different types of dehydrogenases were inactivated consecutively. Finally, the gene vhb encoding hemoglobin was introduced into the strain. The titer of L-sorbose was 298.61 g/L in a 5-L bioreactor. The results showed that the systematic engineering of dehydrogenase could significantly enhance the production of L-sorbose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncturing at shaoyang channel acupoints mainly as SJ17 (Yifeng) and GB12 (Wangu) in treating acute stage of idiopathic facial paralysis in windheat pattern. Methods: A total of 60 cases of patients with acute stage of idiopathic facial paralysis in windheat pattern were randomly divided into two groups, as the treatment group and the control group. All of the patients accompanied with postauricular pain. Patients in the two groups were treated with routine drug treatment. Moreover, patients in the treatment group (n = 30) were treated with acupuncturing at shaoyang channel acupoints mainly as SJ17 (Yifeng) and GB12 (Wangu) additionally. Patients in the control group (n = 30) were treated with routine acupuncture treatment additionally. After two weeks of treatment, patients in the two groups were given acupuncture treatment at ST4 (Dicang), ST6 (Jiache), BL2 (Cuanzhu), etc. for one week. Degrees of postauricular pain of patients in the two groups were evaluated with application of pain visual analogue scale (VAS) before treatment, 3 and 7 days after treatment respectively. Changes of House-Brackmann (H-B) facial nerve function score of patients in the two groups were compared before treatment, in the first, second and third week of treatment respectively. Clinical therapeutic effect of the two groups was compared at the first, second and third week of treatment respectively. Results: After 3 days of treatment, the VAS scores of postauricular pain in the two groups showed no obvious change comparing with that before treatment in each group, and the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). After 7 days of treatment, the VAS scores of postauricular pain in the two groups decreased, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Moreover, the treatment was lower than the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In the two groups, the H-B facial nerve function scores at the first, second and third week of treatment decreased comparing with that before treatment respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Moreover, the H-B facial nerve function scores of the treatment at the second and third week of treatment were lower than those of the control group at the same stage, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). After 3 weeks of treatment, clinical curative effect of the treatment group was better than that of the control group at the same stage by analysis of rank sum test, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The acupuncture therapy mainly selecting shaoyang channel acupoints as SJ17 (Yifeng) and GB12 (Wangu) is the dominant therapy of acute stage of idiopathic facial paralysis in wind-heat pattern. The therapy can effectively relieve the pain behind the ear and improve the prognosis of patients. The curative effect is better than that of conventional acupuncture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indigofera vallicola (Fabaceae), a new species is described and illustrated. This plant is only found from two localities in the central Yunnan Province, southwest China. It is characterized by having the prostrate habit, usually 13–17-foliolate leaves and the relatively small (3–5 mm long) flowers. Morphological comparisons with its closest relatives, I. rigioclada, I. franchetii, I. chaetodonta, and I. henryi are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grenville-age (1.3--0.9 Ga) zircons represent one of the most ubiquitous detrital zircon (DZ) age modes on Earth. In North America, given the widespread occurrence of Grenville basement, Grenville DZs are commonly viewed as nondiagnostic with regard to source region in provenance studies. Systematic recovery of DZ core-rim U-Pb ages makes it possible to identify and differentiate previously indistinguishable basement source terranes by leveraging their multistage tectono-magmatic evolution. Our analysis demonstrates that Grenville DZs exhibit distinct rim ages in different parts of the North American Paleozoic Appalachian-Ouachita-Marathon foreland. Whereas Grenville DZ grains in the eastern foreland, sourced from the southern Appalachian orogen in the eastern United States, exhibit Taconian and Acadian (490--350 Ma) rims, grains in the western foreland, derived from Mexico, mainly show Neoproterozoic (750--500 Ma) rim ages. This difference permits differentiation of non-diagnostic core ages by their distinctive rim ages. Furthermore, core-rim paired ages can illuminate potential genetic relationships among coexisting age components in DZ spectra, thereby indicating whether the DZs are derived from separate sources or from a single source with multistage tectono-magmatic histories. Thus, DZ rim-core ages can provide critical insights into reconstructing global source-to-sink systems and elucidating genetic linkages within multistage orogenic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]