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Abstract Background WRKY transcription factors (TFs) regulate plant responses to environmental stimuli and development, including flowering. Despite extensive research on different species, their role in the invasive plant Mikania micrantha remains to be explored. The aim of this study was to identify and analyze WRKY genes in M. micrantha to understand their function in flowering and adaptation mechanisms. Results By analysing the whole genome of M. micrantha, a total of 77 M. micrantha WRKY (MmWRKY) genes were identified. Based on phylogenetic relationships, sequence alignment, and structural domain diversity, the MmWRKY gene family was preliminarily classified into three major groups and five subgroups: Group I, Group II (II-a, II-b, II-c, II-d, II-e), and Group III. Expression profiles showed tissue-specific expression patterns, with many WRKY genes highly expressed in flowers, indicating potential roles in floral development. Real-time quantitative PCR confirmed that the selected 11 genes were highly expressed in floral tissues, supporting their functional significance in flowering. Conclusion In this study, 77 WRKY genes were identified in M micrantha, and their phylogenetic relationships, structural domains, and expression patterns across various tissues and organs were comprehensively analyzed. This work provides a foundation for future functional characterization of WRKY genes in M. micrantha, which may contribute to the development of more effective strategies to control its rapid spread.

Abstract Permafrost is a potentially important source of deglacial carbon release alongside deep-sea carbon outgassing. However, limited proxies have restricted our understanding in circumarctic regions and the last deglaciation. Tibetan Plateau (TP), the Earth’s largest low-latitude and alpine permafrost region, remains underexplored. Using speleothem growth phases, we reconstruct TP permafrost thawing history over the last 500,000 years, standardizing chronology to investigate Northern Hemisphere permafrost thawing patterns. We find that, unlike circumarctic permafrost, TP permafrost generally initiates thawing at the onset of deglaciations, coinciding with Weak Monsoon Intervals and sluggish Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) during Terminal Stadials. Modeling elaborates that the associated Asian monsoon weakening induces anomalous TP warming through local cloud–precipitation–soil moisture feedback. This, combined with high-latitude cooling, results in asynchronous boreal permafrost thawing. During the last deglaciation, however, anomalous AMOC variability delayed TP and advanced circumarctic permafrost thawing. Our results indicate that permafrost carbon release, influenced by millennial-scale AMOC variability, may have been a non-trivial contributor to deglacial CO2 rise.

Abstract Satellite observations provide valuable information on the rapidly increasing marine heatwaves over the Arctic Ocean, yet current assessments of these events lack reliability because the satellite-based temperature in ice-covered regions heavily relies on ice conditions. Here we compared the marine heatwaves derived from two commonly used satellite products to evaluate the potential influences of sea ice in the pan-Arctic. We found inconsistent behaviors of marine heatwaves in both mean fields and temporal variations on interannual and seasonal timescales using two datasets, which became even larger in recent years when they showed opposite tendencies over regions with higher ice concentrations (>50%). Our findings revealed our knowledge of marine heatwaves in the Arctic is facing challenges due to the large influences of sea ice and datasets that were ignored in previous studies, highlighting an urgent need for in situ observations and consistent and reliable long-time datasets for the warming Arctic.

A glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene IbGSTL2 was cloned and characterized from sweetpotato. It harbored a variation associated with starch content in storage roots. Overexpression of IbGSTL2 increased starch content and amylopectin proportion, decreased gelatinization temperature, and improved degree of crystallinity in sweetpotato storage roots, while its RNA interference resulted in the opposite trends. IbGSTL2 physically interacted with IbcPGM, an enzyme of sucrose metabolism, and improve starch content and quality by regulating genes involved in starch biosynthesis.

Abstract As an emerging type of pluripotent stem cells, chemically induced pluripotent stem cells (CiPSCs) avoid the risks of genomic disintegration by exogenous DNAs from viruses or plasmids, providing a safer stem cell source. To verify CiPSCs’ capacity to differentiate into retinal organoids (ROs), we induced CiPSCs from mouse embryonic fibroblasts by defined small-molecule compounds and successfully differentiated the CiPSCs into three-dimensional ROs, in which all major retinal cell types and retinal genes were in concordance with those in vivo. We transplanted retinal photoreceptors from ROs into the subretinal space of retinal degeneration mouse models and the cells could integrate into the host retina, establish synaptic connections, and significantly improve the visual functions of the murine models. This proof-of-concept study for the first time demonstrated that CiPSCs could differentiate into ROs with a full spectrum of retinal cell types, and provided new insights into chemical approach-based retinal regeneration for degenerative diseases.

Abstract Background Ribosome engineering is a semi-empirical technique used to select antibiotic-resistant mutants that exhibit altered secondary metabolism. This method has been demonstrated to effectively select mutants with enhanced synthesis of natural products in many bacterial species, including actinomycetes. Myxobacteria are recognized as fascinating producers of natural active products. However, it remains uncertain whether this technique is similarly effective in myxobacteria, especially for the heterologous production of epothilones in Myxococcus xanthus. Results Antibiotics that target the ribosome and RNA polymerase (RNAP) were evaluated for ribosome engineering of the epothilone-producing strain M. xanthus ZE9. The production of epothilone was dramatically altered in different resistant mutants. We screened the mutants resistant to neomycin and rifampicin and found that the yield of epothilones in the resistant mutant ZE9N-R22 was improved by sixfold compared to that of ZE9. Our findings indicate that the improved growth of the mutants, the upregulation of epothilone biosynthetic genes, and specific mutations identified through genome re-sequencing may collectively contribute to the yield improvement. Ultimately, the total titer of epothilones achieved in a 10 L bioreactor reached 93.4 mg/L. Conclusions Ribosome engineering is an efficient approach to obtain M. xanthus strains with enhanced production of epothilones through various interference mechanisms. Here, we discuss the potential mechanisms of the semi-empirical method.

Highlights This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current research progress on metal–carbon dioxide (M-CO2) batteries across a broad temperature range (from room temperature to low/high temperatures). The challenges encountered by M-CO2 batteries under extreme low- and high-temperature conditions thoroughly discussed, along with strategies to address these challenges. The potential application scenarios and future directions of M-CO2 batteries across a broad temperature range are highlighted.

With the rapid development of the third-generation semiconductor power device towards high density, high performance, miniaturization and high temperature resistance, it is now urgent to develop a transient liquid phase diffusion (TLPD) bonding method with short bonding time and high reliability. In this study, a novel TLPD bonding method under thermal gradient (TG) with Cu–8Ni alloy as the substrate on the one side of Cu/Sn(40 μm)/Cu–8Ni micro joints was designed. Additionally, the microstructure, elemental characteristics, grain features and shear strengths of the bonded and aged micro joints were systematically investigated. The results indicated that the IMCs micro joints mainly consisted of fine and non-preferred orientation (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 grains could be successfully achieved after TLPD bonding under TG (TG-TLPD bonding) at 260 °C for only 9 min. The formed IMCs micro joints was mainly composed of fine (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 grains, which showed good heat-resistant abilities. Moreover, the shear strength of the formed IMCs micro joints was tested to be 58.69 MPa, which exhibited a slight reduction to 47.34 MPa following aging. Furthermore, the study of Ni-free Cu6Sn5 and Ni doped Cu6Sn5 crystals by theoretical analysis showed that the Young's, shear and bulk modulus of Ni doped Cu6Sn5 were slightly larger than those of Ni-free Cu6Sn5. Ni doping can promote the physical properties and crystal stability of Cu6Sn5 to a certain extent. The proposed Cu/solder/Cu–8Ni interconnection structure using TG-TLPD bonding was demonstrated to be a prospective approach, which drastically shorten bonding duration and obtained the IMCs micro joints with a good thermostability for advanced power device packaging.

Background The sleep characteristics of school-age children have a crucial impact on the development of emotional and behavioral problems. Sleep characteristics also play a role in the development of executive function in school-age children. There is a close relationship between the emergence of emotional and behavioral problems and the development of executive function in these children. Currently, there are few studies on the mediating effect of the relationship between sleep characteristics, executive function, and emotional and behavioral problems in school-age children. Objective To explore the relationship between sleep characteristics, executive function, and emotional and behavioral problems in school-age children, and to examine the mediating role of executive function in the relationship between sleep characteristics and emotional and behavioral problems. Methods From August 21 to October 8, 2021, a convenience sampling method was used to select 516 school-age children from grades 1 to 6 in Xiwu Primary School and the Fourth Experimental Primary School in Shexian County, Handan City, Hebei Province. The Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) were used to assess the sleep characteristics, emotional and behavioral problems, and executive function of the school-age children, respectively. Correlation analysis, regression analysis, and mediation analysis were conducted using SPSS 27.0 and the PROCESS 4.1 plugin. Results A total of 516 questionnaires were distributed, and 496 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 96.1%. Correlation analysis showed that the total score of the CSHQ was negatively correlated with the Behavioral Regulation Index (BRI), Metacognition Index (MI), inhibition, shifting, emotional control, task initiation, working memory, planning, organization, and monitoring factors of the BRIEF (P0.05) . Conclusion There is a close relationship between sleep characteristics, executive function, and emotional and behavioral problems in school-age children. Executive function has a complete mediating effect on the relationship between sleep characteristics and emotional and behavioral problems. This finding emphasizes the importance of good sleep for the behavioral and emotional well-being of school-age children and provides new perspectives and intervention approaches for enhancing executive function and overall development in school-age children.

Objective: This study constructed a novel method for the separation and purification of polysaccharides from Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBPs) by high-speed countercurrent chromatography with aqueoust two-phase system, and investigated its effect on neuroinflammation. Methods: Through the partition coefficient (K) value and stationary phase retention rate Sf, the conditions for separating and purifying LBPs using aqueous two-phase system coupled with high-speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC) were screened and optimized. Preliminary structural characterisation of LBPs was performed using high performance size exclusion column-multiangle laser light scatter-refractive index detector (HPSEC-MALLS-RID), 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone precolumn derivatization coupled to high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analyzer (TG) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Moreover, the anti-neuroinflammation effect was investigated on LPS induced BV2 cell model. Results: The optimal biphasic system consisted of ethanol, ammonium sulphate, water and isopropanol had a ratio of 1.4:1.0:2.58:0.3. Under the separation conditions (900 r/min and 0.8 mL/min mobile phase flow rate), three polysaccharide fractions, named LBPs-1, LBPs-2 and LBPs-3, was isolated. Polysaccharide contents were 78.35%±1.52%, 69.03%±1.71% and 62.11%±2.31%. Molecular weights were 7.40×104 Da, 2.73×104 Da and 1.47×104 Da. The monosaccharide composition was as follows: Man:Rha:GalA:GlcA:Glu:Gal:Ara, with the molar ratios of 1.9:4.9:1.3:8.1:7.6:32.6:41.8, 2.1:4.3:1.5:8.3:5.1:28.6:37.9 and 5.9:4.6:1.1:0.7:13.8:66.8:5.3, respectively. There was also a significant difference in terms of thermal stability and micro-morphology. The LBPs exhibited varying degrees of protective activity on LPS-induced BV2 cells. Conclusions: This study would provide technical support for the efficient separation and purification of plant polysaccharides, and scientific basis for the application of LBPs in the inhibition of neuroinflammation related diseases.

Abstract Background Glucose fluctuations may be involved in the pathophysiological process of cardiomyocyte apoptosis, but the exact mechanism remains elusive. This study focused on exploring the mechanisms related to glucose fluctuation-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Methods Diabetic rats established via an injection of streptozotocin were randomized to five groups: the controlled diabetic (CD) group, the uncontrolled diabetic (UD) group, the glucose fluctuated diabetic (GFD) group, the GFD group rats with the injection of 0.9% sodium chloride (NaCl) (GFD + NaCl) and the GFD group rats with the injection of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) (GFD + NAC). Twelve weeks later, cardiac function and apoptosis related protein expressions were tested. Proteomic analysis was performed to further analyze the differential protein expression pattern of CD and GFD. Results The left ventricular ejection fraction levels and fractional shortening levels were decreased in the GFD group, compared with those in the CD and UD groups. Positive cells tested by DAB-TUNEL were increased in the GFD group, compared with those in the CD group. The expression of Bcl-2 was decreased, but the expressions of Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 were increased in response to glucose fluctuations. Compared with CD, there were 527 upregulated and 152 downregulated proteins in GFD group. Txnip was one of the differentially expressed proteins related to oxidative stress response. The Txnip expression was increased in the GFD group, while the Akt phosphorylation level was decreased. The interaction between Txnip and Akt was enhanced when blood glucose fluctuated. Moreover, the application of NAC partially reversed glucose fluctuations-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Conclusions Glucose fluctuations lead to cardiomyocyte apoptosis by up-regulating Txnip expression and enhancing Txnip-Akt interaction.

The chromosomal position effect can significantly affect the transgene expression, which may provide an efficient strategy for the inauguration of alien genes in new hosts, but has been less explored rationally. The bacterium Myxococcus xanthus harbors a large circular high-GC genome, and the position effect in this chassis may result in a thousand-fold expression variation of alien natural products. In this study, we conducted transposon insertion at TA sites on the M. xanthus genome, and used enrichment and dilution indexes to respectively appraise high and low expression potentials of alien genes at insertion sites. The enrichment sites are characteristically distributed along the genome, and the dilution sites are overlapped well with the horizontal transfer genes. We experimentally demonstrated the enrichment sites as high expression integration sites (HEISs), and the dilution sites unsuitable for gene integration expression. This work highlights that HEISs are the plug-and-play sites for efficient expression of integrated genes.

Abstract Background Bone metastasis (BM) occurs when colon cancer cells disseminate from the primary tumor site to the skeletal system via the bloodstream or lymphatic system. The emergence of such bone metastases typically heralds a significantly poor prognosis for the patient. This study's primary aim is to develop a machine learning model to identify patients at elevated risk of bone metastasis among those with right-sided colon cancer undergoing complete mesocolonectomy (CME). Patients and methods The study cohort comprised 1,151 individuals diagnosed with right-sided colon cancer, with a subset of 73 patients presenting with bone metastases originating from the colon. We used univariate and multivariate regression analyses as well as four machine learning algorithms to screen variables for 38 characteristic variables such as patient demographic characteristics and surgical information. The study employed four distinct machine learning algorithms, namely, extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), and k-nearest neighbor algorithm (KNN), to develop the predictive model. Additionally, the model was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA), while Shapley additive explanation (SHAP) was utilized to visualize and analyze the model. Results The XGBoost algorithm performed the best performance among the four prediction models. In the training set, the XGBoost algorithm had an area under curve (AUC) value of 0.973 (0.953–0.994), an accuracy of 0.925 (0.913–0.936), a sensitivity of 0.921 (0.902–0.940), and a specificity of 0.908 (0.894–0.922). In the validation set, the XGBoost algorithm had an AUC value of 0.922 (0.833–0.995), an accuracy of 0.908 (0.889–0.926), a sensitivity of 0.924 (0.873–0.975), and a specificity of 0.883 (0.810–0.956). Furthermore, the AUC value of 0.83 for the external validation set suggests that the XGBoost prediction model possesses strong extrapolation capabilities. The results of SHAP analysis identified alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels, tumor size, invasion depth, lymph node metastasis, lung metastasis, and postoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) levels as significant risk factors for BM from right-sided colon cancer subsequent to CME. Conclusion The prediction model for BM from right-sided colon cancer developed using the XGBoost machine learning algorithm in this study is both highly precise and clinically valuable.

Abstract Sweet potato starch is in high demand globally for food and industry. However, starch content is negatively correlated with fresh yield. It is urgent to uncover the genetic basis and molecular mechanisms underlying the starch yield of sweet potato. Here we systematically explore source-sink synergy-mediated sweet potato starch yield formation: the production, loading, and transport of photosynthates in leaves, as well as their unloading and allocation in storage roots, lead to starch content divergence between sweet potato varieties. Moreover, we find that six haplotypes of IbPMA1 encoding a plasma membrane H+-ATPase are significantly linked with starch accumulation. Overexpression of IbPMA1 in sweet potato results in significantly increased starch and sucrose contents, while its knockdown exhibits an opposing effect. Furthermore, a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor IbbHLH49 directly targets IbPMA1 and activates its transcription. Overexpression of IbbHLH49 notably improves source-sink synergy-mediated fresh yield and starch accumulation in sweet potato. Both IbbHLH49 and IbPMA1 substantially influence sugar transport and starch biosynthesis in source and sink tissues. These findings expand our understanding of starch yield formation and provide strategies and candidate genes for high starch breeding in root and tuber crops.

Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) affects millions globally, with annual healthcare costs exceeding $100 billion in the United States alone, driving increasing interest in minimally invasive radiological interventions as treatment alternatives. This narrative review examines developments in collagenase chemonucleolysis for LDH, integrating a literature analysis with clinical experience. Key advancements include the transition from single-agent to combination therapies, exploration of diverse injection routes, and the progression from C-arm fluoroscopy to multi-slice CT guidance. The synergistic use of collagenase, oxygen-ozone, and anti-inflammatory analgesics has enhanced efficacy. Safety measures such as aspiration tests, contrast agent tests, and lidocaine tests implemented to mitigate procedural risks. However, challenges persist, including non-standardized dosages and potential complications arising from intradiscal injections. Future research should focus on establishing accreditation systems, refining patient selection criteria, optimizing drug dosages, and exploring advanced image-guided technologies. While chemonucleolysis offers advantages such as minimal invasiveness and cost-effectiveness, its complexity necessitates a multidisciplinary approach. Key findings demonstrate that combination therapy achieves superior outcomes compared to monotherapy, with long-term efficacy rates reaching 90% and 6-month success rates of 95%. Additionally, CT guidance has significantly improved procedural precision and safety compared to traditional fluoroscopy. This review provides insights for clinicians and researchers, highlighting the potential of chemonucleolysis in LDH management to ensure its safe and effective integration into mainstream treatment protocols.

IntroductionThe striped hamster, often parasitized by ectoparasites in nature, is an ideal model for studying host-ectoparasite molecular interactions. Investigating the response to ectoparasites under laboratory conditions helps elucidate the mechanism of host adaptations to ectoparasite pressure.MethodsUsing transcriptome sequencing, we analyzed gene expression in striped hamsters after short-term (3 days) and long-term (28 days) flea (Xenopsylla cheopis) parasitism. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified and subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. Hub genes were pinpointed using protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis and the MCODE in Cytoscape. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was used to further clarify the functional pathways of these hub genes. Validation of DEGs was performed via RT-qPCR. Additionally, the concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) were determined using specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detection kits for hamsters.ResultsGO analysis revealed that during early parasitism, hosts primarily responded to the ectoparasites by adjusting the expression of genes related to metabolic functions. As parasitism persisted, the immune response became prominent, activating various immune pathways against ectoparasites. KEGG analysis confirmed the ongoing roles of metabolism and immunity. Notably, the chemical carcinogenesis - reactive oxygen species pathway was upregulated during flea parasitism, with downregulation of hub genes ATP5MC1 and ATP5MC2, highlighting the importance of mitochondrial function in oxidative stress. ELISA findings revealed that on day 3, flea parasitism groups showed elevated ROS expression and reduced SOD and CAT levels compared to the control group. By day 28, only SOD expression showed a significant decrease in both parasitism groups.ConclusionThis study uncovered the dynamic changes in metabolism and immune responses of striped hamsters parasitized by Xenopsylla cheopis. Hosts adjust their physiological and immune states to optimize survival strategies during different ectoparasite stages, enhancing our understanding of host-ectoparasite interactions. This also paves the way for further research into how hosts regulate complex biological processes in response to ectoparasite challenges.

Background: Although high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) has been researched in relation to cancer in many investigations, a thorough investigation of its role in pan-cancer has yet to be conducted. With the objective of bridging this gap, we delved into the functions of HMGB1 in various tumors. Methods: This investigation employed The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases to examine HMGB1 gene expression differences and correlation with survival across various human tumors. Then, genetic alterations of HMGB1 were analyzed by tool cBioPortal, and immune cell infiltration was assessed. Finally, we gathered clinial samples from 95 patients with various types of solid tumor and performed somatic mutation analysis using panel sequencing. This further highlighted the role of HMGB1 in different solid tumors. Results: There was a notable elevation of HMGB1 gene expression in tumor tissues as opposed to non-cancerous tissues across the bulk of tumor types. Elevated HMGB1 gene expression had a connection with shorter overall survival, progression-free survival, and disease-free survival in specific tumor types. Genetic alterations of HMGB1 suggested that the amplifications and mutations of HMGB1 may impact the prognosis of breast cancer (BRCA) and liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC). Both BRCA and mesothelioma (MESO) displayed a connection between the infiltration of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and HMGB1 gene expression. Moreover, HMGB1 co-expression analysis revealed its association with genes involved in RNA splicing, mRNA processing, and modulation of mRNA metabolic processes. Additionally, a pathway analysis by use of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) unveiled that HMGB1 was implicated in the pathogenic mechanisms of ''Hepatitis B,'' ''Viral Carcinogenesis,'' and ''Hepatocellular Carcinoma.'' Based on somatic mutation analysis of 95 patients with different solid tumors, we found that the frequency of HMGB1 mutations was higher in Liver cancer patients compared to other solid tumors. This finding is consistent with our in-silico study results. Additionally, we discovered that the frequency of HMGB1 mutations ranked among the top 20 mutated genes in the 95 patients’ data, indicating that HMGB1 plays an important role in the development and prognosis of various solid tumors. Conclusion: This pan-cancer study of HMGB1 underscores its potential as a signature marker and target for the management of various tumor types.

Xanthoxyletin (C15H14O4), a natural linear pyranocoumarin, is known to trigger anti-cancer activities, although its anticancer mechanisms are largely unknown. Human hemoglobin (HHb) as a major plasma protein could play a key role in the transportation and biodistribution of therapeutic molecules In this study, the interaction of xanthoxyletin with HHb was measured under physiological conditions using multi-spectroscopic techniques along with molecular docking simulation. Also, the interaction of xanthoxyletin with human chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cells was assessed by cellular assays. It was deduced that each xanthoxyletin molecule shows a thermodynamically favorable interaction with one molecule of HHb with a binding constant (Kb) in the orders of 103-4 M−1. These interactions did not significantly result in the loss of α-helical content of HHb. In silico studies supported the experimental findings and demonstrated that non-covalent forces including hydrogen bonds (Ala88 and Arg92), pi-pi stacking (Trp37), and hydrophobic interactions (and Pro95 and Pro36) are the main forces contributing to the xanthoxyletin-HHb complex formation. Cellular and molecular assays showed that xanthoxyletin mitigated the proliferation of K562 cells through apoptosis induction mediated by overexpression of p53, caspase-3, and PARP cleavage. This data may hold great promise for the development of anticancer compounds with potential blood protein binding stemming from xanthoxyletin derivatives/hybrids.

Background: cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is the second gynecological tumors that seriously threaten women's life quality. Circular RNA (circRNA) is related with cervical cancer carcinogenesis and radiosensitivity. Aim: To investigate the performance of hsa_circ_0007905 (circSTX6) on regulating cellular activities and radiosensitivity in CSCC. Methods: The relative expression of circSTX6 in different tissue samples was detected by RT-qPCR. The cellular activity influence of circSTX6 in cervical cancer cells was measured by CCK-8 and Transwell assays. The survival fractions of cancer cells were detected after the radiation treatment to explore the relationship between circSTX6 and radiosensitivity of cervical cancer. The downstream miRNAs were predicted and analyzed. Rescue experiments confirmed their targeting relationship. Bioinformatic analysis was performed to identify the potential targets of miR-203a-3p. Results: circSTX6 was increased and miR-203a-3p was decreased in cervical cancer tissues and radio-resistant tissues. CircSTX6 expression was related to the patient's survival rates. CircSTX6 absence decreased cervical cancer cell proliferation and invasion while enhancing the sensitivity of cervical cancer cells to radiotherapy by regulating miR-203a-3p. RAB27B may be a target of miR-203a-3p. Conclusion: circSTX6 may be a clinical prognostic biomarker in CSCC. The absence of circSTX6 inhibits cellular behaviors and increases the sensitivity of cervical cancer cells to radiation by modulating miR-203a-3p/RAB27B axis.

Nickel foam is widely used as a collector for electrocatalysts because of its excellent electrical conductivity; however, it is prone to react with elements such as oxygen, sulfur, and phosphorus during the growth of electrode materials, which makes it brittle and fragile, thus limiting its large-scale application. In this study, bifunctional electrocatalysts with flexible multilevel Ni-based nanoclusters Ni@(Ni,Fe)Se2/Ni@CC were synthesized on carbon cloth (CC) by hydrothermal and electrodeposition methods; these flexible electrocatalysts are convenient for subsequent industrial applications. At a current density of 10 mA cm−2, the overpotentials of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) reached 98 and 224 mV, respectively, exceeding the catalytic effects of most metal-based collectors. The overall water-splitting potential of the catalyst was only 1.56 V at 10 mA cm−2, and the performance was maintained after a 24 h stability test. Ni@(Ni,Fe)Se2/Ni@CC significantly improved the activity in alkaline environments by modulating the center of the d-band, thereby increasing the adsorption capacity of the catalyst for H ions. In this study, we improved the intrinsic activity and charge transfer of transition metal electrocatalysts by modifying the carbon cloth and constructing multilevel Ni-based nanoclusters, which provided some insights into the rational design of flexible bifunctional electrocatalysts.

Sn–Ag solders are widely used for advanced electronic packaging. The combined effect of Ag element and temperature gradient (TG) on the formation of Sn grains in Cu/Sn-xAg/Cu micro solder joints was elucidated systematically. Numerous small-sized β-Sn grains were formed in both Cu/Sn/Cu and Cu/Sn-0.5Ag/Cu micro solder joints after reflow with or without TG. The Cu/Sn-0.5Ag/Cu joint was found to have more twinning β-Sn structures. The formation of the multiple β-Sn grains in these two joints was attributed to the presence of multiple tetrahedral metastable short-range order (SRO) structures which acted as nuclei for the nucleation and growth of β-Sn. The existence of TG slightly enhanced the preferred orientation characteristics of Sn grains. For the joints with Ag content was or higher than 2 wt%, several Sn grains were formed without TG, while a single or highly oriented Sn grains were observed with TG. The number and orientation of Sn grains were affected by the combined effect of Ag element and TG significantly. The β-Sn grains formed without TG were based on the {101} type cyclic twinning configuration clusters that stabilized by Ag atoms and acted as nuclei. The formation of a single or highly preferred β-Sn grains was benefit from the combined effect of Ag element and TG. The results provide theoretical guidance for optimizing the composition of Sn–Ag solders and controlling the microstructure of the joints, thereby contributing to the advancement of electronic packaging technologies.

Abstract Background Flea bites could trigger a series of complex molecular responses in the host. However, our understanding of the responses at the molecular level is still relatively limited. This study quantifies the changes in gene expression in mice after flea bites by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) from their spleens, revealing the potential biological effects of host response to flea bites. Methods RNA-seq was used for transcriptome analysis to screen for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the control mice group and the flea bite mice group. Gene ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis were performed on DEGs. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis on DEGs related to immune processes was performed. Finally, we randomly selected several genes from the screened DEGs to validate the results from the transcriptome data by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Results A total of 521 DEGs were identified, including 277 upregulated and 244 downregulated. There were 258 GO terms significantly enriched by upregulated DEGs and 419 GO terms significantly enriched by downregulated DEGs. Among the upregulated DEGs, 22 GO terms were associated with immune cells (e.g., B cells and T cells) and immune regulatory processes, while among the downregulated DEGs, 58 GO terms were associated with immune cells and immune regulatory processes. Through PPI analysis, we found that CD40 molecules with significantly downregulated expression levels after flea bites may play an important role in host immune regulation. Through KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, a total of 26 significantly enriched KEGG pathways were identified. The RT-qPCR analysis results indicated that the transcriptome sequencing results were reliable. Conclusions Through in-depth analysis of transcriptome changes in mice caused by flea bites, we revealed that flea bites could stimulate a series of biological and immunological responses in mice. These findings not only provided a deeper understanding of the impact of flea bites on the host but also provided a basis for further research on the interaction between ectoparasites and the host. We believe that digging deeper into the significance of these transcriptome changes will help reveal more about the adaptive response of the host to ectoparasites. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Purpose To explore whether it is necessary to put drain tubes after posterior pedicle screw fixation of thoracolumbar fractures. Methods From April 2020 to January 2023, a total of 291 patients with recent thoracolumbar fractures (AO type-A or type-B) who received the pedicle screw fixation operation were enrolled retrospectively. In 77 patients, drain tubes were used in the pedicle screw fixation surgery, while no drain tubes were placed in the other group. After gleaning demographic information and results of lab examination and imageology examination, all data were put into a database. Independent-sample t-tests, Pearson Chi-Square tests, Linear regression analysis, and correlation analysis were then performed. Results Compared to the control group, the drainage group had significantly lower postoperative CRP levels (P = 0.047), less use of antipyretics (P = 0.035), higher ADL scores (P = 0.001), and lower NRS scores (P

Abstract Many large estuaries are threatened by intensifying hypoxia. However, due to the limited duration of available observations, uncertainties persist regarding the level of contemporary hypoxia intensity in a longer-term context and the relative contributions of climate versus human factors. Here we present sediment records for the hypoxia intensity and associated environmental parameters in the Yangtze Estuary over the past three centuries. The results show that the hypoxia intensity has been increasing during the last half century due to anthropogenic eutrophication, but the current hypoxia condition is not as severe as some preindustrial periods due to weaker stratification in the water column. Our findings suggest that if anthropogenic and climatic forcing coincide in the foreseeable future, the hypoxia intensity of the Yangtze Estuary may reach unprecedented levels.

Abstract Detecting early-stage esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and precancerous lesions is critical for improving survival. Here, we conduct whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) on 460 cfDNA samples from patients with non-metastatic ESCC or precancerous lesions and matched healthy controls. We develop an expanded multimodal analysis (EMMA) framework to simultaneously identify cfDNA methylation, copy number variants (CNVs), and fragmentation markers in cfDNA WGBS data. cfDNA methylation markers are the earliest and most sensitive, detectable in 70% of ESCCs and 50% of precancerous lesions, and associated with molecular subtypes and tumor microenvironments. CNVs and fragmentation features show high specificity but are linked to late-stage disease. EMMA significantly improves detection rates, increasing AUCs from 0.90 to 0.99, and detects 87% of ESCCs and 62% of precancerous lesions with >95% specificity in validation cohorts. Our findings demonstrate the potential of multimodal analysis of cfDNA methylome for early detection and monitoring of molecular characteristics in ESCC.

Abstract Background Myocarditis refers to an autoimmune inflammatory response of the myocardium with characterization of self-reactive CD4+ T cell activation, which lacks effective treatment and has a poor prognosis. Acacetin is a natural flavonoid product that has been reported to have anti-inflammatory effects. However, acacetin has not been investigated in myocarditis. Methods Oral acacetin treatment was administered in an experimental autoimmune myocarditis model established with myosin heavy chain-alpha peptide. Echocardiography, pathological staining, and RT-qPCR were used to detect cardiac function, myocardial injury, and inflammation levels. Flow cytometry was utilized to detect the effect of acacetin on CD4+ T cell function. RNA-seq, molecular docking, and microscale thermophoresis (MST) were employed to investigate potential mechanisms. Seahorse analysis, mitoSOX, JC-1, and mitotracker were utilized to detect the effect of acacetin on mitochondrial function. Results Acacetin attenuated cardiac injury and fibrosis as well as heart dysfunction, and reduced cardiac inflammatory cytokines and ratio of effector CD4+ T and Th17 cells. Acacetin inhibited CD4+ T cell activation, proliferation, and Th17 cell differentiation. Mechanistically, the effects of acacetin were related to reducing mitochondrial complex II activity thereby inhibiting mitochondrial respiration and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species in CD4+ T cells. Conclusion Acacetin may be a valuable therapeutic drug in treating CD4+ T cell-mediated myocarditis. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Background To explore a method for screening and diagnosing neonatal congenital heart disease (CHD) applicable to grassroots level, evaluate the prevalence of CHD, and establish a hierarchical management system for CHD screening and treatment at the grassroots level. Methods A total of 24,253 newborns born in Tang County between January 2016 and December 2020 were consecutively enrolled and screened by trained primary physicians via the “twelve-section ultrasonic screening and diagnosis method” (referred to as the “twelve-section method”). Specialized staff from the CHD Screening and Diagnosis Center of Hebei Children’s Hospital regularly visited the local area for definite diagnosis of CHD in newborns who screened positive. Newborns with CHD were managed according to the hierarchical management system. Results The centre confirmed that, except for 2 newborns with patent ductus arteriosus missed in the diagnosis of ventricular septal defect combined with severe pulmonary hypertension, newborns with other isolated or concomitant simple CHDs were identified at the grassroots level. The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic coincidence rate of the twelve-section method for screening complex CHD were 92%, 99.6% and 84%, respectively. A total of 301 children with CHD were identified. The overall CHD prevalence was 12.4‰. According to the hierarchical management system, 113 patients with simple CHD recovered spontaneously during local follow-up, 48 patients continued local follow-up, 106 patients were referred to the centre for surgery (including 17 patients with severe CHD and 89 patients with progressive CHD), 1 patient died without surgery, and 8 patients were lost to follow-up. Eighteen patients with complex CHD were directly referred to the centre for surgery, 3 patients died without surgery, and 4 patients were lost to follow-up. Most patients who received early intervention achieved satisfactory results. The mortality rate of CHD was approximately 28.86 per 100,000 children. Conclusions The “twelve-section method” is suitable for screening neonatal CHD at the grassroots level. The establishment of a hierarchical management system for CHD screening and treatment is conducive to the scientific management of CHD, which has important clinical and social significance for early detection, early intervention, reduction in mortality and improvement of the prognosis of complex and severe CHDs.

Abstract Unenhanced CT scans exhibit high specificity in detecting moderate-to-severe hepatic steatosis. Even though many CTs are scanned from health screening and various diagnostic contexts, their potential for hepatic steatosis detection has largely remained unexplored. The accuracy of previous methodologies has been limited by the inclusion of non-parenchymal liver regions. To overcome this limitation, we present a novel deep-learning (DL) based method tailored for the automatic selection of parenchymal portions in CT images. This innovative method automatically delineates circular regions for effectively detecting hepatic steatosis. We use 1,014 multinational CT images to develop a DL model for segmenting liver and selecting the parenchymal regions. The results demonstrate outstanding performance in both tasks. By excluding non-parenchymal portions, our DL-based method surpasses previous limitations, achieving radiologist-level accuracy in liver attenuation measurements and hepatic steatosis detection. To ensure the reproducibility, we have openly shared 1014 annotated CT images and the DL system codes. Our novel research contributes to the refinement the automated detection methodologies of hepatic steatosis on CT images, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of healthcare screening processes.

Abstract Background Cellular immunotherapy, represented by the chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T), has exhibited high response rates, durable remission, and safety in vitro and in clinical trials. Unfortunately, anti-CD19 CAR-T (CART-19) treatment alone is prone to relapse and has a particularly poor prognosis in relapsed/refractory (r/r) B-ALL patients. To date, addressing or reducing relapse remains one of the research priorities to achieve broad clinical application. Methods We manufactured second generation CART-19 cells and validated their efficacy and safety in vitro and in vivo. Through co-culture of Nalm-6 cells with short-term cultured CART-19 cells, CD19-negative Nalm-6 cells were detected by flow cytometry, and further investigation of the relapsed cells and their resistance mechanisms was evaluated in vitro. Results In this study, we demonstrated that CART-19 cells had enhanced and specific antileukemic activities, and the survival of B-ALL mouse models after CART-19 treatment was significantly prolonged. We then shortened the culture time and applied the serum-free culture to expand CAR-T cells, followed by co-culturing CART-19 cells with Nalm-6 cells. Surprisingly, we observed the proliferation of CD19-negative Nalm-6 cells around 28 days. Identification of potential resistance mechanisms showed that the relapsed cells express truncated CD19 proteins with decreased levels and, more importantly, CAR expression was detected on the relapsed cell surface, which may ultimately keep them antigen-negative. Furthermore, it was validated that CART-22 and tandem CART-22/19 cells could effectively kill the relapsed cells, but neither could completely eradicate them. Conclusions We successfully generated CART-19 cells and obtained a CD19-negative refractory relapsed B-ALL cell line, providing new insights into the underlying mechanisms of resistance and a new in vitro model for the treatment of r/r B-ALL patients with low antigen density.

Abstract Although surgical and interventional therapy has emerged as the primary treatment for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), there remains a subset of patients who need medication therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety outcomes of prostacyclin pathway vasodilators, providing further insight for clinical decision‐making. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL databases from inception to December 2023. Literature screening and quality assessment were carried out with the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Data analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4 software. We included 6 randomized controlled trials with 387 patients. Prostacyclin pathway vasodilators demonstrated a significant improvement in PVR (−125.26 dynes·sec·cm−5, 95%CI: −219.29 to −31.23, Z = 2.61, and p

ABSTRACT: The wide distribution and diverse varieties of chickens make them important models for studying genetic adaptation. The aim of this study was to identify genes that alter heat adaptation in commercial chicken breeds by comparing genetic differences between tropical and cold-resistant chickens. We analyzed whole-genome resequencing data of 186 chickens across various regions in Asia, including the following breeds: Bian chickens (B), Dagu chickens (DG), Beijing-You chickens (BY), and Gallus gallus jabouillei from China; Gallus gallus murghi from India; Vietnam native chickens (VN); Thailand native chickens (TN) and Gallus gallus spadiceus from Thailand; and Indonesia native chickens (IN), Gallus gallus gallus, and Gallus gallus bankiva from Indonesia. In total, 5,454,765 SNPs were identified for further analyses. Population genetic structure analysis revealed that each local chicken breed had undergone independent evolution. Additionally, when K = 5, B, BY, and DG chickens shared a common ancestor and exhibited high levels of inbreeding, suggesting that northern cold-resistant chickens are likely the result of artificial selection. In contrast, the runs of homozygosity (ROH) and the ROH-based genomic inbreeding coefficient (FROH) results for IN, TN, and VN chickens showed low levels of inbreeding. Low population differentiation index values indicated low differentiation levels, suggesting low genetic diversity in tropical chickens, implying increased vulnerability to environmental changes, decreased adaptability, and disease resistance. Whole-genome selection sweep analysis revealed 69 candidate genes, including LGR4, G6PC, and NBR1, between tropical and cold-resistant chickens. The genes were further subjected to GO and KEGG enrichment analyses, revealing that most of the genes were primarily enriched in biological synthesis processes, metabolic processes, central nervous system development, ion transmembrane transport, and the Wnt signaling pathway. Our study identified heat adaptation genes and their functions in chickens that primarily affect chickens in high-temperature environments through metabolic pathways. These heat-resistance genes provide a theoretical basis for improving the heat-adaptation capacity of commercial chicken breeds.

Parasite infection not only triggers the immune response of the host but also potentially affects the reproductive status, thereby influencing the population size. Therefore, understanding the impact of parasite infection on host immune and reproductive systems has long been an important issue in ecological research. To address this, we conducted field surveys (2021–2023) to investigate Capillaria hepatica infection status in Brandt's vole (Lasiopodomys brandtii) and performed controlled experiments in semi-natural enclosures and indoor laboratories. The results showed a negative correlation between the population size of Brandt's vole and the infection rate. To further explore the regulatory mechanisms, transcriptomic and proteomic analyses were performed on the infected BALB/c mice. The study found that post-infection with Capillaria hepatica, up-regulated genes and proteins in the mice liver were primarily associated with immune functions, while down-regulated genes and proteins were related to metabolic functions such as retinol metabolism. Through validation experiments supplementing retinol to the host infected with Capillaria hepatica, it was found that infection with Capillaria hepatica leads to a decrease in systemic available retinol levels, disrupting the expression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis hormones, affecting the expression of CYP17A1, thereby regulating testosterone secretion related to spermatogenesis. This process results in abnormal spermatogenesis in the testes, thereby impacting the reproductive capacity of mice. This suggests that Capillaria hepatica regulates resource allocation in hosts, striking a “trade-off” between reproduction and survival, thereby exerting control over population size. These discoveries are crucial for comprehending the interaction between Capillaria hepatica and hosts, as well as their impacts on host reproduction and immune systems, and provide a scientific basis for controlling the transmission of Capillaria hepatica.

As one of the developed genetically modified (GM) maize varieties in China, CC-2 has demonstrated promising commercial prospects during demonstration planting. The establishment of detection methods is a technical prerequisite for effective supervision and regulation of CC-2 maize. In this study, we have developed an event-specific quantification method that targets the junction region between the exogenous gene and the 5’ flanking genomic DNA (gDNA) of CC-2. The accuracy and precision of this method were evaluated across high, medium, and low levels of CC-2 maize content, revealing biases within ±25% and satisfactory precision data. Additionally, we determined the limits of quantification of the method to be 0.05% (equivalent to 20 copies) of the CC-2 maize. A collaborative trial further confirmed that our event-specific method for detecting CC-2 produces reliable, comparable, and reproducible results when applied to five different samples provided by various sources. Furthermore, we calculated the expanded uncertainty associated with determining the content level of CC-2 in these samples.

Cable insulation defect detection ensures electrical safety, prevents accidents, extends equipment life and guarantees stable system operation. For the traditional cable insulation defect detection and identification of difficult problems, this paper proposes the use of ultrasonic cable insulation defect detection and combined with the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)-transformer model of cable insulation defect classification method. Firstly, the ultrasonic probe is used to obtain different cable insulation defect signals, and then the CNN-transformer model is used to classify different cable insulation defects. The CNN is used to initially extract the characteristics of the cable insulation defects from the input signals, and then the multi-attention mechanism in the time series Transformer is used to extract the transient local and periodic global characteristics of the cable insulation defect signals. The deeper transient local features and periodic global features of the cable insulation defect signal are extracted by the multi-attention mechanism in the time series Transformer; finally, the recognition results are outputted by the fully connected layer and softmax classifier. The results show that ultrasonic reflection and transmission phenomena occur at the defects, and different defects can be accurately reflected by the defect echo time and amplitude, and the accuracy of cable insulation defect recognition using the CNN-transformer model reaches 100%, with good generalization ability.

Identifying cable insulation defects is crucial for preventing system failures and ensuring the reliability of electrical infrastructure. This paper introduces a novel method leveraging the Markov transition field (MTF) and Transformer network to improve the precision of cable insulation defect identification and enhance the algorithm's noise resistance. Firstly, the algorithm performs modal transformation on the time series data acquired by the ultrasonic probe through MTF, generating corresponding images. Following this, the image data are input into a pre-trained Transformer network to achieve automated feature extraction. Subsequently, a multi-head attention mechanism is introduced, which assigns weights to the features extracted by the Transformer network, thereby emphasizing the most critical information for the identification task. Finally, more accurate defect identification is achieved based on the weighted features. The results demonstrate that this method achieves higher accuracy and stronger noise resistance compared to traditional image processing and recognition methods, making it a robust solution for cable insulation defect identification.

Abstract The Chinese express delivery industry processes nearly 110 billion items in 2022, averaging an annual growth rate of 200%. Among the various types of sorting systems used for handling express items, cross-belt sorting systems stand out as the most crucial. However, despite their high degree of automation, the workload for operators has intensified owing to the surging volume of express items. In the era of Industry 5.0, it is imperative to adopt new technologies that not only enhance worker welfare but also improve the efficiency of cross-belt systems. Striking a balance between efficiency in handling express items and operator well-being is challenging. Digital twin technology offers a promising solution in this respect. A realization method of a human–machine integrated digital twin is proposed in this study, enabling the interaction of biological human bodies, virtual human bodies, virtual equipment, and logistics equipment in a closed loop, thus setting an operating framework. Key technologies in the proposed framework include a collection of heterogeneous data from multiple sources, construction of the relationship between operator fatigue and operation efficiency based on physiological measurements, virtual model construction, and an online optimization module based on real-time simulation. The feasibility of the proposed method was verified in an express distribution center.

Abstract Prolonged extremely warm ocean temperatures have great impacts on both natural ecosystems and human communities. These phenomena (i.e., marine heatwaves) could be easily monitored globally by satellite-based sea surface temperatures; however, the choice of datasets may lead to potential uncertainties in the marine heatwave assessment. Here we compared the marine heatwaves using three commonly used satellite products to illustrate the uncertainties over Asia and the Indo-Pacific. Distinct differences were found in the occurrence, duration, and long-term trend of marine heatwaves over both coastal and open oceans, while some discrepancies could become comparable with the obtained metrics themselves. Although differences in mean sea surface temperatures or their variances among datasets could not explain the abovementioned discrepancies, different sensors, procedures, and sea ice treatments in each dataset may contribute partially. Overall, our study suggests that the use of multiple datasets is crucial for evaluations of extreme events.

Abstract Impaired brain glucose metabolism is an early indicator of Alzheimer’s disease (AD); however, the fundamental mechanism is unknown. In this study, we found a substantial decline in isocitrate dehydrogenase 3β (IDH3β) levels, a critical tricarboxylic acid cycle enzyme, in AD patients and AD-transgenic mice’s brains. Further investigations demonstrated that the knockdown of IDH3β induced oxidation-phosphorylation uncoupling, leading to reduced energy metabolism and lactate accumulation. The resulting increased lactate, a source of lactyl, was found to promote histone lactylation, thereby enhancing the expression of paired-box gene 6 (PAX6). As an inhibitory transcription factor of IDH3β, the elevated PAX6 in turn inhibited the expression of IDH3β, leading to tau hyperphosphorylation, synapse impairment, and learning and memory deficits resembling those seen in AD. In AD-transgenic mice, upregulating IDH3β and downregulating PAX6 were found to improve cognitive functioning and reverse AD-like pathologies. Collectively, our data suggest that impaired oxidative phosphorylation accelerates AD progression via a positive feedback inhibition loop of IDH3β-lactate-PAX6-IDH3β. Breaking this loop by upregulating IDH3β or downregulating PAX6 attenuates AD neurodegeneration and cognitive impairments.

Abstract Background Cotton boll shedding is one of the main factors adversely affecting the cotton yield. During the cotton plant growth period, low light conditions can cause cotton bolls to fall off prematurely. In this study, we clarified the regulatory effects of low light intensity on cotton boll abscission by comprehensively analyzing the transcriptome and metabolome. Results When the fruiting branch leaves were shaded after pollination, all of the cotton bolls fell off within 5 days. Additionally, H2O2 accumulated during the formation of the abscission zone. Moreover, 10,172 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 81 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) were identified. A KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the identified DEGs and DAMs were associated with plant hormone signal transduction and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways. The results of the transcriptome analysis suggested that the expression of ethylene (ETH) and abscisic acid (ABA) signaling-related genes was induced, which was in contrast to the decrease in the expression of most of the IAA signaling-related genes. A combined transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis revealed that flavonoids may help regulate plant organ abscission. A weighted gene co-expression network analysis detected two gene modules significantly related to abscission. The genes in these modules were mainly related to exosome, flavonoid biosynthesis, ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, plant hormone signal transduction, photosynthesis, and cytoskeleton proteins. Furthermore, TIP1;1, UGT71C4, KMD3, TRFL6, REV, and FRA1 were identified as the hub genes in these two modules. Conclusions In this study, we elucidated the mechanisms underlying cotton boll abscission induced by shading on the basis of comprehensive transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses of the boll abscission process. The study findings have clarified the molecular basis of cotton boll abscission under low light intensity, and suggested that H2O2, phytohormone, and flavonoid have the potential to affect the shedding process of cotton bolls under low light stress.