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Background and objective: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. However, current evidence on the association between muscle quality and CVD is limited. This study investigates the potential association between the muscle quality index (MQI) and the prevalence of CVD and CVD-related mortality. Methods: Participants were selected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2014. Data on mortality and causes of death were obtained from the National Death Index (NDI) records through December 31, 2019. Statistical analysis used in this study, including weighted multivariable linear and logistic regression, cox regression and Kaplan-Meier (K-M) analysis, to estimate the association between MQI and all-cause mortality as well as CVD mortality. In addition, subgroup analysis was used to estimate the association between MQI and CVD subtypes, such as heart attack, coronary heart disease, angina, congestive heart failure, and stroke. Results: A total of 5,053 participants were included in the final analysis. Weighted multivariable linear regression models revealed that a lower MQI.total level was independently associated with an increased risk of CVD development in model 3, with t value =-3.48, 95%CI: (-0.24, -0.06), P = 0.002. During 5,053 person-years of 6.92 years of follow-up, there were 29 deaths from CVD. Still, the association between MQI.total and CVD mortality, as well as all-cause mortality did not reach statistical significance in the fully adjusted model (HR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.21–1.62, P = 0.30; HR = 0.91, 95% CI:0.65,1.28, P = 0.59, respectively). Subgroup analysis confirmed that MQI.total was negatively associated with congestive heart failure (OR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.18,0.68, P = 0.01). Conclusion: This study highlights the potential of MQI as a measure of muscle quality, its negative correlation with congestive heart failure (CHF). However, MQI was not very useful for predicting the health outcomes such as CVD and mortality. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the early recognition of muscle weakness progression in CHF. Further studies are needed to explore more effective indicator to evaluate the association between muscle quality and health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatic ischemia‒reperfusion injury (HIRI) is a pathological phenomenon during liver surgery, and bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) exosomes (BMSC-Exos) regulate cell apoptosis and reduce ischemia‒reperfusion injury. We aimed to investigate the roles of BMSC-Exos and miR-25b-3p (enriched in BMSC-Exos) in HIRI and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Approaches and Results: An HIRI mouse model was constructed and preinjected with BMSC-Exos, agomir-miR-25, agomir-miR-NC, or PBS via the tail vein. Compared with mice with HIRI, mice with HIRI preinjected with BMSC-Exos had significantly decreased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels and alleviated liver necrosis (P < 0.05). Quantitative hepatic transcriptomics showed that mice with HIRI preinjected with BMSC-Exos exhibited increased cell division, hematopoietic or lymphoid organ development and metabolic processes. miRNA sequencing of BMSC-Exos revealed that miR-25, which is related to I/R injury, was enriched in the exosomes. Compared with HIRI + NC mice, HIRI + miR-25b-3p mice had significantly increased miR-25b-3p expression, decreased ALT/AST levels and apoptosis-related protein expression (P < 0.05), and alleviated liver necrosis. The proliferation of AML-12 cells transfected with miR-25b-3p was significantly higher than that in the mimic NC group (P < 0.01) after hypoxia induction, and the apoptosis rate of cells was significantly lower than that in the NC group (P < 0.01). PTEN was identified as a miR-25b-3p target gene. PTEN expression was significantly diminished in miR-25b-3p-transfected AML12 cells (P < 0.05). HIRI + agomir-miR-25 mice displayed reduced PTEN expression and decreased p53 and cleaved caspase 3 levels compared to HIRI + NC mice. Conclusions: We revealed the roles and underlying mechanisms of BMSC-Exos and miR-25 in HIRI, contributing to the prevention and treatment of HIRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Liver cancer is a highly malignant disease and the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Abnormal activation of PI3K/Akt signaling is common in cancer, but whether phosphoinositide‐3‐kinase regulatory subunit 3 (PIK3R3) plays a role in liver cancer is largely unexplored. Methods: We determined the expression of PIK3R3 in liver cancer by using TCGA data and our clinical samples and knocked it down by siRNA or overexpressing it by the lentivirus vector system. We also investigated the function of PIK3R3 by colony formation, 5‐Ethynyl‐2‐Deoxyuridine, flow cytometry assay, and subcutaneous xenograft model. The downstream of PIK3R3 was explored by RNA sequence and rescue assays. Results: We found that PIK3R3 was significantly upregulated in liver cancer and correlated with prognosis. PIK3R3 promoted liver cancer growth in vitro and in vivo by controlling cell proliferation and cell cycle. RNA sequence revealed that hundreds of genes were dysregulated upon PIK3R3 knockdown in liver cancer cells. CDKN1C, a cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor, was significantly upregulated by PIK3R3 knockdown, and CDKN1C siRNA rescued the impaired tumor cell growth. SMC1A was partially responsible for PIK3R3 regulated function, and SMC1A overexpression rescued the impaired tumor cell growth in liver cancer cells. Immunoprecipitation demonstrated there is indirect interaction between PIK3R3 and CNKN1C or SMC1A. Importantly, we verified that PIK3R3‐activated Akt signaling determined the expression of CDKN1C and SMC1A, two downstream of PIK3R3 in liver cancer cells. Conclusion: PIK3R3 is upregulated in liver cancer and activates Akt signaling to control cancer growth by regulation of CDNK1C and SMC1A. Targeting PIK3R3 could be a promising treatment strategy for liver cancer that deserves further investigation. PIK3R3 is upregulated in liver cancer and activates Akt signaling to control cancer growth by regulation of CDNK1C and SMC1A.Targeting PIK3R3 could be a promising treatment strategy for liver cancer that deserves further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the characteristics of fire smoke spread and temperature distribution of a large indoor pedestrian street under different heat release rates and smoke exhaust modes, this paper focuses on the analysis of fire smoke spread, visibility, smoke temperature distribution and variation curves in an atrium. This paper uses a numerical simulation method to conduct research. PyroSim fire simulation software is used to calculate this project, which is based on a full-scale experimental design scheme. The numerical simulation results show that under the conditions of higher heat release rate, the smoke spread rate is greater than that under the conditions of lower heat release rate. Furthermore, the average temperature of smoke in the atrium is also greater, up to about 400 °C. The conditions of a higher heat release rate also show the characteristics of faster generation, faster spread and a larger volume of smoke. When the smoke exhaust system is turned on, the thickness of the smoke layer and the smoke temperature decrease. There then comes a situation where the stabile section of the fire ends in advance. The simulation results of vertical temperature distribution in an atrium can fit the modified McCaffrey plume model in any case. Under all cases, the smoke temperature reaches the maximum directly above the fire source. The horizontal dimensionless smoke temperature rises under the atrium roof, and decreases exponentially with the dimensionless distance from the fire source. The greater the heat release rate of fire source is, the smaller the attenuation coefficient is, with a more than 50% change. When the smoke exhaust system is turned on, the smoke flow accelerates and the smoke is cooled rapidly. Thus, the attenuation coefficient increases. Additionally, the effect of mechanical smoke exhaust is better than natural smoke exhaust, because mechanical smoke exhaust makes air flow and heat exchange more intense. The variation amplitudes of the attenuation coefficient under natural smoke exhaust and mechanical smoke exhaust are 13% and 22%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the difference in effectiveness and safety of high-power, short-duration (HPSD) radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) guided by relatively low ablation index (AI) values and conventional RFA in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) patients. Methods: The HPSD RFA strategy (40–50 W, AI 350–400 for anterior, 320–350 for posterior wall; n = 547) was compared with the conventional RFA strategy (25–40 W, without AI; n = 396) in PAF patients who underwent their first ablation. Propensity-score matching analyses were used to compare the outcomes of the two groups while controlling for confounders. Results: After using propensity-score matching analysis, the HPSD group showed a higher early recurrence rate (22.727% vs. 13.636%, p = 0.003), similar late recurrence rate, and comparable safety (p = 0.604) compared with the conventional group. For late recurrent atrial arrhythmia types, the rate of regular atrial tachycardia was significantly higher in the HPSD group (p = 0.013). Additionally, the rate of chronic pulmonary vein reconnection and non-pulmonary vein triggers during repeat procedures was similar in both groups. Conclusions: For PAF patients, compared with the conventional RFA strategy, the HPSD RFA strategy at relatively low AI settings had a higher early recurrence rate, similar long-term success rate, and comparable safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD mortality are prevalent among cancer survivors (CS) population. The 2022 ESC Guidelines on cardio‐oncology have recommended that modifying cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) could potentially improve long‐term outcomes in CS. Objectives: To identify the independent and joint chronic kidney disease (CKD) associations of hyperuricemia with the incidence of CVD and mortality outcomes among CS. Methods: Utilizing data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey spanning 2005–2018, we assessed the risk of CVD through weighted multivariable logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression. Additionally, all‐cause and CVD‐related mortality were evaluated using weighted multivariable Cox regression and Kaplan–Meier analysis. Subgroup analysis was conducted to further elucidate the interplay between hyperuricemia, CKD, and mortality within the CS population. Results: A total of 3276 CS participants were enrolled in this study. Results showed that hyperuricemia was positively related to the incidence of CVD (OR [95% CI] = 1.86 [1.24, 2.81], p = 0.004). RCS analysis further demonstrated that uric acid levels ≥345 μmol/L positively correlated with CVD incidence (p value for nonlinearity = 0.0013). However, the association between hyperuricemia and CVD mortality, as well as all‐cause mortality did not reach statistical significance in the fully adjusted model (HR = 1.48, 95% CI: 0.92–2.39, p = 0.11; HR = 1.11, 95% CI:0.92, 1.34, p = 0.28, respectively). Among CS participants with CKD, hyperuricemia could increase risks of all‐cause (HR [95% CI] = 1.39 [1.08, 1.11], p = 0.02) and CVD mortality (HR [95% CI] =2.17 [1.29, 3.66], p = 0.004) after adjusting for sex, age, and ethnicity. Conclusions: In the CS population, hyperuricemia was positively associated with the incidence of CVD. In addition, CKD might be an intermediate variable among the CS population that mediated the effects of hyperuricemia on mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reactions of N-sulfonylindoles with H-phosphine oxides under oxidative conditions give a wide range of C-3 phosphorylated free (NH)-indoles. Several mild oxidants, such as AgNO3, di- tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP), and K2S2O8, can be used to promote this transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Head-space solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) was adopted to gather volatile organic compounds emitted from the flower ofLuculia gratissima(Wallich) Sweet. Gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed for the analysis of the characteristics of the volatile component profile. The inflorescence ofL. gratissimais a terminal umbel of tubular ended white or pink flowers with 5 spreading petals. A total of 20 compounds were identified, representing 99 % of the entire amount. The major components were γ-muurolene (46.3 %), 3-carene (23.5 %) andtrans-isoeugenol (14.4 %), and they were found to make a principal contribution to the volatile compounds of this flower. It is suggested thatL. gratissimawould be fully qualified as a delightfully fragrant houseplant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A silver nitrate-mediated, efficient phosphorylation of benzothiazoles and thiazoles with diarylphosphine oxides was developed. This process provides a convenient route for the synthesis of a variety of 2-diarylphosphoryl benzothiazoles and thiazoles which are promising precursors of a series of hemilabile P,N-ligands with small bite angles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The direct phosphorylation of (benzo)thiazoles with various H-phosphine oxides was realized by using K2S2O8 as the oxidant. A series of 2-phosphoryl (benzo)thiazoles were obtained in moderate to good yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition metal catalyzed C−H phosphorylation remains an unsolved challenge. Reported methods are generally limited in scope and require stoichiometric silver salts as oxidants. Reported here is an electrochemically driven RhIII‐catalyzed aryl C−H phosphorylation reaction that proceeds through H2 evolution, obviating the need for stoichiometric metal oxidants. The method is compatible with a variety of aryl C−H and P−H coupling partners and particularly useful for synthesizing triarylphosphine oxides from diarylphosphine oxides, which are often difficult coupling partners for transition metal catalyzed C−H phosphorylation reactions. Experimental results suggest that the mechanism responsible for the C−P bond formation involves an oxidation‐induced reductive elimination process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition metal catalyzed C−H phosphorylation remains an unsolved challenge. Reported methods are generally limited in scope and require stoichiometric silver salts as oxidants. Reported here is an electrochemically driven RhIII‐catalyzed aryl C−H phosphorylation reaction that proceeds through H2 evolution, obviating the need for stoichiometric metal oxidants. The method is compatible with a variety of aryl C−H and P−H coupling partners and particularly useful for synthesizing triarylphosphine oxides from diarylphosphine oxides, which are often difficult coupling partners for transition metal catalyzed C−H phosphorylation reactions. Experimental results suggest that the mechanism responsible for the C−P bond formation involves an oxidation‐induced reductive elimination process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Percutaneous microwave ablation (PMA) is a thermoablative method used as a minimally invasive treatment for liver cancer. However, the application of PMA is limited by its insufficient ROS generation efficiency and thermal effects. Herein, a new microwave-activated Cu-doped zirconium metal-organic framework (MOF) (Cu Zr MOF) used for enhanced PMA has a significantly improved microwave sensitizing effect. Owing to the strong inelastic collisions between ions confined in numerous micropores, Cu Zr MOF has strong microwave sensitivity and high thermal conversion efficiency, which can significantly improve microwave thermal therapy (MTT). Moreover, because of the existence of Cu2+ ions, a further benefit of Cu Zr MOF is their Fenton-like activity, in particular, microwaves used as an excitation source for microwave dynamic therapy (MDT) can improve the Fenton-like reaction to maximize the synergistic effectiveness of cancer therapy. Importantly, Cu Zr MOF can inhibit the production of heat shock proteins (HSPs) by producing abundant ROS to enhance tumor destruction. Mechanistically, we found that Cu Zr MOF + MW treatment modulates ferroptosis-mediated tumor cell death by targeting the HMOX1/GPX4 axis. In summary, this study develops a novel Cu Zr MOF microwave sensitizer with great potential for synergistic treatment of liver cancer by MTT and MDT. Cu Zr MOF was fabricated with a hydrothermal one-pot low-cost green method. Cu Zr MOF has strong microwave sensitivity and high thermal conversion efficiency, which can realize the synergistic treatment of microwave thermal therapy (MTT) and microwave dynamic therapy (MDT). Mechanistically, we found that Cu Zr MOF + MW treatment modulates ferroptosis-mediated tumor apoptosis by targeting the HMOX1/GPX4 axis. [Display omitted] • A novel kind of microwave-activated Cu-doped zirconium metal-organic framework (MOF) (Cu Zr MOF) used for improve microwave thermal therapy that has a significantly improved microwave sensitizing effect. • Microwaves used as an excitation source for microwave dynamic therapy (MDT) can produce more ROS to maximize the synergistic effectiveness of cancer therapy. • Cu Zr MOF + MW treatment modulates ferroptosis-mediated tumor death by targeting the HMOX1/GPX4 axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correction for ‘Silver-mediated direct phosphorylation of benzothiazoles and thiazoles with diarylphosphine oxides’ by Hui-Jun Zhang et al., Chem. Commun., 2015, 51, 3450–3453. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The convenient, efficient protocol for the phosphorylation of the title compounds furnishes 2-diarylphosphoryl-substituted products under mild conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influences of surface orientation and slope of solar collectors on solar radiation collection of balcony split type solar water heaters for six cities in China were analyzed by employing software TRNSYS. The surface azimuth had greater effect on solar radiation collection in high latitude regions. For deviation of the surface slope angle within ±20° around the optimized angle, the variation of the total annual collecting solar radiation was less than 5%. However, with deviation of 70° to 90°, the variation was up to 20%. The effects of water cycle mode, reverse slope placement of solar collector, and water tank installation height on system efficiency were experimentally studied. The thermal efficiencies of solar water heater with single row horizontal arrangement all-glass evacuated tubular collector were higher than those with vertical arrangement at the fixed surface slope angle of 90°. Compared with solar water heaters with flat-plate collector under natural circulation, the system thermal efficiency was raised up to 63% under forced circulation. For collector at reverse slope placement, the temperature-based water stratification in water tank deteriorated, and thus the thermal efficiency became low. For improving the system efficiency, an appropriate installation height of the water tank was suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The palladium-catalyzed direct C2- and further C7-acylation of indoles with aldehydes have been developed. This method provides a convenient pathway toward a variety of mono- and diacylated indoles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate the clinic efficacy of plaster fixation with in a position of ebow flexion and pronation in children's extension-type supracondylar humeral fractures. Methods The patient children with McIntyre type I and II supracondylar humeral fractures from June 2011 to June 2013 were collected and divided into the plaster fixation in a position of elbowflexion and pronation group and the plaster fixation in elbow flexion neutral position group,each of 30 cases. The treatment group was fixed the elbows in a position of flexion and pronation while the control group in flexed and neutral position. Carrying angle(C-angle) and Baumann angle(B-angle) were measured after post-reduction,during the follow-up and removing the plaster fixation. The rates of varus malunion were compared and Flynn elbow function scores were performed at the time of the latest follow-up. Results Among the follow-up 60 cases,the rates of varus malunion in the treatment group was 6.67% (2/30)while 13.339(4/30) in the control group. There was statistically significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). During the fol low-up, B-angle was (79.0±3.0)° and C-angle was(8.0±2.3)° in the treatment group while B-angle was(80.0±2.7)° and C-angle was (9.0±5.2)oin the control group. When the plaster fixation was removed, B-angle was(80.0±2.5)°and C-angle was (6.0±3.5)° in the treatment group,B-angle was(82.0±3.5)°and C-angle was(7.0±3.7)° in the control group. There was no significant difference within the treatment group in different period of time (P>0.05), but significant difference within the control group in different period of time (P<0.05). Compared the degree of C-angle and B-angle of the two groups,tt had significant difference during the follow-up and plaster fixation removal (P>0.05). Conclusion The treatment of plaster fixation with in a position of ebow flexion and pronation in children's extension-type supracondylar humeral fractures may reduce the rate of varus malunion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canine kobuviruses (CaKoV) have been found in healthy and diarrheic dogs as well as asymptomatic wild carnivores in various countries. In order to investigate the prevalence and evolution of CaKoV in Tangshan, China, 82 dog fecal samples from pet hospitals in Tangshan were subjected to RT-PCR targeting a segment of the 3D gene of CaKoV. Using this method, we identified CaKoV in 14 samples (17.07%, 14/82). Of the CaKoV-positive samples, 78.57% (11/14) and 50% (7/14) were positive for canine parvovirus and canine coronavirus, respectively. The nucleotide sequences of the 14 strains 96.6%–100% identical to each other and 77.6%–99.2% identical to representative sequences from the NCBI GenBank database. We also amplified the 14 VP1 gene sequences and found that they were 93.3%–99.6% identical to each other and 73.3%–97.8% identical to representative sequences from the NCBI GenBank database. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the 14 CaKoV strains from Tangshan are closely related to those identified in China and Thailand and display less similarity to those found in Africa, the United States, and Europe. Our data suggest that CaKoV circulated in young pet dogs in Tangshan and displays a high co-infection rate with CCoV and CPV. However, the relationship between the three viruses and their roles in the host requires further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innenrücktitelbild: Scalable Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed Aryl C-H Phosphorylation Enabled by Anodic Oxidation Induced Reductive Elimination (Angew. Keywords: C-H-Aktivierung; Elektrochemie; Oxidationen; Phosphorylierungen; Rhodium C-H-Aktivierung, Elektrochemie, Oxidationen, Phosphorylierungen, Rhodium. [Extracted from the article]

The hydrodynamic problems of water entry of a wedge are investigated by a modified ghost-cell immersed boundary method. The modifications correspond to a newly proposed scheme for dealing with fluid–body interaction, and incorporation of CIP (Constraint Interpolation Profile) method and THINC/SW (Tangent of Hyperbola for Interface Capturing with Slope Weighting) method. The modified ghost-cell immersed boundary method uses a compact interpolation structure and gives the fluid properties to the ghost cell to achieve a more accurate treatment of fluid–body interaction. It can preserve the sharpness of the immersed boundary. To validate the new method, simulations of water entry of symmetric and asymmetric wedges in a single degree of freedom and water entry of an asymmetric wedge in three degrees of freedom are carried out, respectively. The variations of pressure, vertical velocity, vertical acceleration, angular displacement, and angular acceleration against time are focused on. The evolution of the free surface and velocity distributions of fluid is also analyzed. The results of numerical simulations are compared with available experimental results and fairly good agreement is obtained, which indicates that the present model is reliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. About half of sudden deaths from AMI are mainly because of malignant ventricular arrhythmias (VA) after AMI. The sodium channel gene SCN5A and potassium channel genes KCNQ1 and KCNH2 have been widely reported to be genetic risk factors for arrhythmia including Brugada syndrome and long QT syndrome (LQTS). A few studies reported the association of SCN5A variant with ventricular tachycardia (VT)/ventricular fibrillation (VF) complicating AMI. However, little is known about the role of KCNQ1 and KCNH2 in AMI with VA (AMI_VA). This study focuses on investigating the potential variants on SCN5A, KCNQ1, and KCNH2 contributing to AMI with VA in a Chinese population. Materials and Methods: In total, 139 patients with AMI_VA, and 337 patients with AMI only, were included. Thirty exonic sites were selected to be screened. Sanger sequencing was used to detect variants. A subsequent association study was also performed between AMI_VA and AMI. Results: Twelve variants [5 on KCNH2(NM_000238.3), 3 on KCNQ1(NM_000218.2), and 4 on SCN5A(NM_198056.2)] were identified in AMI_VA patients. Only 5 (KCNH2: c.2690A>C; KCNQ1: c.1927G>A, c.1343delC; SCN5A: c.1673A>G, c.3578G>A) of them are missense variants. Two (KCNQ1: c.1343delC and SCN5A: c.3578G>A) of the missense variants were predicted to be clinically pathogenic. All these variants were further genotyped in an AMI without VA group. The association study identified a statistically significant difference in genotype frequency of KCNH2: c.1539C>T and KCNH2: c.1467C>T between the AMI and AMI_VA groups. Moreover, 2 rare variants (KCNQ1: c.1944C>T and SCN5A: c.3621C>T) showed an elevated allelic frequency (more than 1.5-fold) in the AMI_VA group when compared to the AMI group. Conclusion: Twelve variants (predicting from benign/VUS to pathogenic) were identified on KCNH2, KCNQ1, and SCN5A in patients with AMI_VA. Genotype frequency comparison between AMI_VA and AMI identified 2 significant common variants on KCNH2. Meanwhile, the allelic frequency of 2 rare variants on KCNQ1 and SCN5A, respectively, were identified to be enriched in AMI_VA, although there was no statistical significance. The present study suggests that the ion-channel genes KCNH2, KCNQ1, and SCN5A may contribute to the pathogenesis of VA during AMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is the causative agent of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), which results in immense economic losses in the swine industry. Outbreaks of disease caused by NADC30-like PRRSV are of great concern in China. Here, a novel variant, NADC30-like PRRSV strain HB17A, was analyzed and its pathogenicity in pigs was examined. The full-length genome sequence of HB17A shared 83.6–95.1% nucleotide similarity with NADC30-like and NADC30 PRRSV without any gene insertions, but with a unique 2-amino acid deletion in Nsp2. A phylogenetic analysis showed that HB17A clustered with NADC30 strains. Different degrees of variation in the signal peptide, transmembrane region (TM), primary neutralizing epitope (PNE), non-neutral epitopes, and N-glycosylation sites were observed in GP5. Challenge experiments showed that HB17A infection resulted in persistent fever, moderate respiratory clinical signs, low levels of viremia and viral loads in serum, and mild gross and microscopic lung lesions. Moreover, IFN-γ, IL-6, and IL-10 cytokine levels were significantly elevated in serum, but the levels of IFN-α and IL-2 were similar to those of the negative controls. HB17A was less pathogenic but was secreted longer in nasal discharge than HP-PRRSV FZ06A. Our findings indicate that HB17A is a novel NADC30-like strain with certain deletions and mutations but with no evidence of genomic recombination. This strain exhibits intermediate virulence in pigs. This research will be help define the evolutionary characteristics of Chinese NADC30-like PRRSV. Highlights • A novel variant, NADC30-like PRRSV strain HB17A, has certain deletions and mutations but with no evidence of genomic recombination and also showed intermediate virulence in pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this study, further development of an in-house code, named a constraint interpolation profile (CIP)-based model is presented. A momentum source function is introduced as an internal wave maker to generate regular and focused waves accurately without being affected by reflected waves. A self-adaptive source region method is proposed to optimize the width of the momentum source region to different wave conditions. The proposed model is applied to different cases. Test of regular wave reflection from a vertical wall is first carried out. Regular wave decomposition over a submerged breakwater is then simulated. Focused wave generation and propagation over a submerged breakwater are finally studied and compared with a newly performed experiment. Good agreements are obtained. All the results indicate that the CIP-based model with a non-reflection internal wave-maker can work as a powerful tool to study wave-structure interaction in coastal engineering. Highlights • A non-reflection momentum source wave maker is applied into a high-precision CIP-based model. • The model with momentum source wave maker is applicable to various waves, including periodic waves and focused waves. • A self-adaptive source region method is proposed which extends the source function to different wave conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To summarize our experience of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for recurrent drug-refractory ventricular tachycardias (VTs) due to arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) in our center over the past 11 years and its related factors. Methods and Results: We reviewed 48 adults (mean age 39.9 ± 12.9 years, range: 14 to 65) who met the present ARVC diagnostic criteria and accepted RFCA for VTs from December 2004 to April 2016. The patients received a total of 70 procedures using two ablation approaches, the endocardial approach in 52 RFCAs, and the combined epicardial and endocardial approach (the combined approach) in 18 RFCAs. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the combined approach achieved better acute procedural success (p = 0.003) and better long-term outcomes (p = 0.028) than the endocardial approach. Patients who obtained acute procedural success with non-inducibility had better long-term outcomes (p < 0.001). COX regression of multivariate analysis showed that procedural success was the only factor that benefited long-term outcome, irrespective of the endocardial or the combined approach (p = 0.001). The rate of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients without procedural success was significantly higher than that in patients with procedural success (p = 0.005). All patients without implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation who had successful final RFCA survived. Conclusions: The combined approach resulted in better procedural success and long-term VT-free survival compared with the endocardial approach in ARVC patients with recurrent VTs. Acute procedural success with non-inducibility was strongly related to better long-term VT-free survival and reduced SCD, irrespective of whether this was achieved by the endocardial approach or the combined approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The title reactions are accomplished by oxidative cross-coupling of indoles [(I) and (VI)] with aldehydes (II) in the presence of tBu-OOH as mild oxidizing agent catalyzed by Pd(OAc)2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, 396 samples from diarrheic pigs on 46 pig farms in Jiangsu Province, China, were analyzed by RT-PCR. One-hundred eighty-one pigs from 37 farms tested positive for porcine kobuvirus (PKV). Phylogenetic analysis of the 3D gene from 19 isolates showed sequence homology of 88.0 %-100 % and 69.4 %-100 % for nucleotides and amino acids, respectively, while similarity to isolates of other kobuviruses was 69.6 %-78.8 % and 27.8 %-56.9 %, respectively. One-hundred eighty-five samples contained two or more pathogens, and 31/68 PKV-positive samples tested positive for other diarrheic pathogens, confirming the existence of PKV infection and coinfection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The excessive or improper use of antibiotics in chicken feed has led to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, drug residues in the tissue, and other relevant issues, and this situation is severe in China. From 31 December 2020, antibiotics were banned for use as supplemental growth promoters in animal feed in China; therefore, antibiotic substitutes are urgently needed in China. People are searching for ideal antibiotic alternatives, and probiotics have proven their potential use for this. Our current trial aims to evaluate the effects of the Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) YW1 strain on laying hens, including the effects on performance, morphology, cecal microbiota, and intestinal barrier function. Our study showed that orally administering laying hens with probiotic B. subtilis cannot significantly improve their overall egg production, can induce a healthier microbiota composition characterized by a higher ratio of beneficial bacteria, and strengthens the physical barrier function of the intestine by inducing a higher expression of the tight junction protein. This makes it a valid probiotic alternative to antibiotics, and also a reference strain for clinical application in the poultry industry. We investigated the efficacy of a single bacterium strain, Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) YW1, on the performance, morphology, cecal microbiota, and intestinal barrier function of laying hens. A total of 216 28-week-old Hy-line Brown laying hens were divided into three dietary treatment groups, with six replicates of 12 birds each for 4 weeks. The control group (Ctr) was fed a basal diet and the treatment groups, T1 and T2, were fed a basal diet supplemented with B. subtilis at a dose rate of 5 × 108 CFU/kg and 2.5 × 109 CFU/kg, respectively. Dietary supplementation with B. subtilis did not significantly affect overall egg production in both groups, with no obvious changes in average egg weight and intestine morphology. B. subtilis administration also improved the physical barrier function of the intestine by inducing significantly greater expression levels of the tight junction protein occludin in T1 (p = 0.07) and T2 (p < 0.05). Further, supplementation with B. subtilis effectively modulated the cecal microbiota, increasing the relative level of beneficial bacteria at the genus level (e.g., Bifidobacterium p < 0.05, Lactobacillus p = 0.298, Bacillus p = 0.550) and decreasing the level of potential pathogens (e.g., Fusobacterium p < 0.05, Staphylococcus p < 0.05, Campylobacter p = 0.298). Overall, B. subtilis YW1 supplementation cannot significantly improve the egg production; however, it modulated the cecal microbiota towards a healthier pattern and promoted the mRNA expression of the tight junction protein occludin in laying hens, making B. subtilis YW1 a good probiotic candidate for application in the poultry industry, and further expanding the resources of strains of animal probiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermophilic anaerobic digestion (AD) coupled with the pretreatment was used as an alternative method for animal by-product disposal and energy recovery. In this study, the results showed that the cumulative biogas production in T121 thermal pretreatments was slightly lower than that in the Control, while there were no significant differences in the methane content produced between the treatments. Pretreatments with H 2 SO 4 at all different concentrations inhibited the anaerobic digestion with lower biogas and methane production due to the high contents of total volatile fatty acids accumulated in the systems. High throughput sequencing analysis showed that pretreatments affected the diversity, community structure and composition of microbial consortia. However, all these treatments harboured the same dominant phylum (Firmicutes) and genus (Coprothermobacter) with active roles during the AD process. These results also suggested that different pretreatments could form their distinct methanogen pathways. Of the treatments, T121 pretreatment increased the relative abundance of methane-producing archaea. The abundance of Methanosarcina was dominated in the thermal pretreatments, suggesting the acetoclastic methanogenesis pathway of methane produced in thermal pretreatments. The abundances of Methanosarcina and Methanothermobacter were nearly the same in the Control and HS4 treatments respectively, indicating that both hydrogenotrophic and acetotrophic methanogen pathways were involved in the HS4 and control treatments. Considering other advantages of pathogen inactivation on pig mortalities, our study could be helpful for the disposal and further optimization of the higher energy recovery of animal carcasses by thermophilic AD coupled with thermal (121 °C) pretreatments. • T121 pretreatment was suitable for the disposal of pig mortality. • The contents of methane generation were inhibited in H 2 SO 4 treatment. • The HS4 treatments harbored a distinct microbial community. • The dominant bacterial genus in all these treatments were Coprothermobacter. • The dominant methane-produced archaea differed with different pretreatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Duck Tembusu virus (DTMUV) is an emerging pathogenic flavivirus responsible for massive economic losses in the duck industry. However, commercially inactivated DTMUV vaccines have been ineffective at inducing protective immunity in ducks. The widely used adjuvant cytosine-phosphate-guanine oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODNs) reportedly improve humoral and cellular immunities in animal models. However, its effectiveness in DTMUV vaccines requires validation. Here, we assessed the protective efficacy of pUC18-CpG as an adjuvant in an inactivated live DTMUV vaccine in ducks. Our results revealed that the serum hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titers, positive rates of anti-DTMUV antibodies, the concentration of serum cytokines, and protection efficacy were significantly increased in ducks immunized with pUC18-CpG compared to that in the control group. Moreover, ducks immunized with a full vaccine dose containing a half dose of antigen supplemented with 40 μg of pUC18-CpG exhibited the most potent responses. This study suggests that pUC18-CpG is a promising adjuvant against DTMUV, which might prove effective in treating other viral diseases in waterfowl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vehicle behavior recognition is an attractive research field which is useful for many computer vision and intelligent traffic analysis tasks. This paper presents an all-in-one behavior recognition framework for moving vehicles based on the latest deep learning techniques. Unlike traditional traffic analysis methods which rely on low-resolution videos captured by road cameras, we capture 4K ( 3840 × 2178 ) traffic videos at a busy road intersection of a modern megacity by flying a unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) during the rush hours. We then manually annotate locations and types of road vehicles. The proposed method consists of the following three steps: (1) vehicle detection and type recognition based on deep neural networks; (2) vehicle tracking by data association and vehicle trajectory modeling; (3) vehicle behavior recognition by nearest neighbor search and by bidirectional long short-term memory network, respectively. This paper also presents experimental results of the proposed framework in comparison with state-of-the-art approaches on the 4K testing traffic video, which demonstrated the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]