Search

Abstract Background Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) have been implicated as critical regulators of cancer tumorigenesis and progression. However, their functions and molecular mechanisms in colorectal cancer (CRC) still remain to be further elucidated. Methods LINC00460 was identified by differential analysis between human CRC and normal tissues and verified by in situ hybridization (ISH) and qRT-PCR. We investigated the biological functions of LINC00460 in CRC by in vitro and in vivo experiments. We predicted the mechanism and downstream functional molecules of LINC00460 by bioinformatics analysis, and confirmed them by dual luciferase reporter gene assay, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), RNA pull-down, etc. Results LINC00460 was found to be significantly overexpressed in CRC and associated with poor prognosis. Overexpression of LINC00460 promoted CRC cell immune escape and remodeled a suppressive tumor immune microenvironment, thereby promoting CRC proliferation and metastasis. Mechanistic studies showed that LINC00460 served as a molecular sponge for miR-186-3p, and then promoted the expressions of MYC, CD47 and PD-L1 to facilitate CRC cell immune escape. We also demonstrated that MYC upregulated LINC00460 expression at the transcriptional level and formed a positive feedback loop. Conclusions The LINC00460/miR-186-3p/MYC feedback loop promotes CRC cell immune escape and subsequently facilitates CRC proliferation and metastasis. Our findings provide novel insight into LINC00460 as a CRC immune regulator, and provide a potential therapeutic target for CRC patients.

Abstract Zika virus, a mosquito-borne arbovirus, has repeatedly caused large pandemics with symptoms worsening from mild and self-limiting diseases to Guillain–Barré syndrome in adults and fetal microcephaly in newborns. In recent years, Zika virus diseases have posed a serious threat to human health. The shortage of susceptible small animal models makes it difficult to study pathogenic mechanisms and evaluate potential therapies for Zika virus infection. Therefore, we chose immunocompromised mice (AG129 mice) deficient in IFN-α/β and IFN-γ receptors, which can abolish the innate immune system that prevents Zika virus infection early. AG129 mice were infected with the Zika virus, and this mouse model exhibited replication dynamics, tissue tropism, pathological lesion and immune activation of the Zika virus. Our results suggest that the inoculum dose of Zika virus can affect the viral replication dynamics, cytokine responses and survival rate in AG129 mice. By testing the potential antiviral drug favipiravir, several critical indicators, including replication dynamics and survival rates, were identified in AG129 mice after Zika virus infection. It is suggested that the model is reliable for drug evaluation. In brief, this model provides a potential platform for studies of the infectivity, virulence, and pathogenesis of the Zika virus. Moreover, the development of an accessible mouse model of Zika virus infection will expedite the research and deployment of therapeutics and vaccines.

[Introduction] The gas turbine generator set (GE-PG9351FA) with a DLN2.0 + burner and a designed NOx emission concentration of 50 mg/m3 is used in a gas turbine power plant. During the warm-up periods, the generator set emitted a large amount of yellow smoke, which violates provisions stipulated in the "Emission Standard for Air Pollutants from Thermal Power Plants" (GB 13223—2011) and is complained by the surrounding residents. According to the new emission regulations for environmental protection in Jiangsu, starting from January 1, 2023, the converted NOx emission average throughout the operation period should be less than 30 mg/m3. In order to meet this requirement and reduce the emission of yellow nitrate smoke during start-up, the renovated SCR denitration technology for the flue gas of the HRSG (Heat Recovery Steam Generator) is adopted. Data simulation, deduction, analysis and summarization of various indicators are conducted during the start-up process to refine a reasonable startup operation method. [Method] To validate the feasibility of this method, the power plant conducted multiple peak shaving start-up process operation tests. Based on the actual NOx emission characteristics, adjustments were made to the start-up point, gas turbine load control, and input nodes for the SCR system in the operation method. This process resulted in an optimized operational strategy. [Result] The test results show that by optimizing the SCR denitration system input point, gas turbine start-up point and warm-up load after grid connection, the converted NOx emission average throughout the operation period is less than 30 mg/m3, and the phenomenon of yellow nitrate smoke disappeared. [Conclusion] This strategy is based on the characteristics of NOx and yellow nitrate smoke emission during the gas turbine start-up process. Afterward, through data deduction and numerous experiments for validation, it can provide direct guidance for reducing yellow nitrate smoke emission during the start-up process of similar gas turbines. Additionally, it can serve as an analytical reference for controlling NOx emissions during peak shaving operations in gas turbine power plants.

Abstract MXene materials have emerged as promising candidates for solving sustainable energy storage solutions due to their unique properties and versatility. MXene materials can not only be used directly as electrode materials but can also be used as functional materials to solve problems such as poor conductivity of electrode materials, severe volume expansion, dendrites, and dissolution of electrode materials. This perspective paper explores the potential applications of MXene materials for sustainable energy storage solutions, emphasizing their distinct characteristics and applications across various domains.

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the field of cancer drug development has undergone significant changes. Kinase inhibitors are the product category with the highest number of approved drugs and indications. However, despite checkpoint inhibitors being only introduced to the market since 2011, they have become the second most approved product categories. In the year of 2023, the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) has approved 13 new cancer therapeutic drugs. In the past five years, a slight increase in drug approvals targeting biomarker-defined populations as well as emerging approvals that are agnostic to tumor anatomy has been recorded. Currently, new treatment approaches and technologies, such as the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI), have increasingly profound progress on cancer drug development.

An extreme heavy rainfall event struck the northern part of the Guilin urban area in the early morning of May 22, 2023, breaking local historical records for both hourly and three-hourly precipitation, resulting in severe urban waterlogging. Analysis was conducted using data from routine observation, ground-based dense automatic stations, Doppler weather radar, and ERA5 reanalysis. The results are as follows. (1) This event occurred on the edge of the subtropical high-pressure system, with the continuous strengthening of the southwest jet stream providing abundant moisture and energy for the extreme rainfall under the influence of the low-level shear line and the southward movement of the surface cold front. (2) The echoes of heavy rainfall evolved into a linear convection, which changed the direction and shape when timely met with the surface cold air. Meanwhile, the continuously developing new individual cells on its western side joined to form a "train effect," leading to extreme rainfall. The echo exhibited characteristics of low core and high efficiency. (3) The timely intrusion of weak cold air intensified convective rainfall and enhanced cold pool outflow, triggering new convection in the warm and moist region ahead of it, which favored the development and persistence of heavy rainfall. (4) During the eastward movement of individual convective cells, they merged through cloud bridges and expanded through cloud development, forming new cloud clusters and rapidly intensifying precipitation. The interaction and merging of convective cells were the main mechanisms for the prolonged and intensified heavy rainfall. (5) Various numerical models underestimated the intensity of this event, with biases in forecasting the rainfall center mainly due to deviations in the timing of forecasting the influence of surface cold air.

Abstract Background The pathogenesis of thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO) remains incompletely understand. The interaction between immunocytes and orbital fibroblasts (OFs) play a critical role in orbital inflammatory and fibrosis. Accumulating reports indicate that a significant portion of plasma exosomes (Pla-Exos) are derived from immune cells; however, their impact upon OFs function is unclear. Methods OFs were primary cultured from inactive TAO patients. Exosomes isolated from plasma samples of patients with active TAO and healthy controls (HCs) were utilized for functional and RNA cargo analysis. Functional analysis in thymocyte differentiation antigen-1+ (Thy-1+) OFs measured expression of inflammatory and fibrotic markers (mRNAs and proteins) and cell activity in response to Pla-Exos. RNA cargo analysis was performed by RNA sequencing and RT-qPCR. Thy-1+ OFs were transfected with miR-144-3p mimics/inhibitors to evaluate its regulation of inflammation, fibrosis, and proliferation. Results Pla-Exos derived from active TAO patients (Pla-ExosTAO−A) induced stronger production of inflammatory cytokines and hyaluronic acid (HA) in Thy-1+ OFs while inhibiting their proliferation. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis and single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) suggested that the difference in mRNA expression levels between Pla-ExosTAO−A and Pla-ExosHC was closely related to immune cells. Differential expression analysis revealed that 62 upregulated and 45 downregulated miRNAs in Pla-ExosTAO−A, with the elevation of miR-144-3p in both Pla-Exos and PBMCs in active TAO group. KEGG analysis revealed that the target genes of differentially expressed miRNA and miR-144-3p enriched in immune-related signaling pathways. Overexpression of the miR-144-3p mimic significantly upregulated the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and HA in Thy-1+ OFs while inhibiting their proliferation. Conclusion Pla-Exos derived from patients with active TAO were immune-active, which may be a long-term stimulus casual for inflammatory and fibrotic progression of TAO. Our finding suggests that Pla-Exos could be used as biomarkers or treatment targets in TAO patients.

Abstract The development of artificial intelligence-enabled medical health care has created both opportunities and challenges for next-generation biosensor technology. Proteins are extensively used as biological macromolecular markers in disease diagnosis and the analysis of therapeutic effects. Electrochemical protein biosensors have achieved desirable specificity by using the specific antibody–antigen binding principle in immunology. However, the active centers of protein biomarkers are surrounded by a peptide matrix, which hinders charge transfer and results in insufficient sensor sensitivity. Therefore, electrode-modified materials and transducer devices have been designed to increase the sensitivity and improve the practical application prospects of electrochemical protein sensors. In this review, we summarize recent reports of electrochemical biosensors for protein biomarker detection. We highlight the latest research on electrochemical protein biosensors for the detection of cancer, viral infectious diseases, inflammation, and other diseases. The corresponding sensitive materials, transducer structures, and detection principles associated with such biosensors are also addressed generally. Finally, we present an outlook on the use of electrochemical protein biosensors for disease marker detection for the next few years.

【Objective】Excessive use of fertilizers, low utilization rates of crop straw/livestock/poultry manure resources, and environmental pollution caused by agricultural and forestry waste restrict the development of agriculture. The scientific fertilization method of organic substitution+reduced fertilization was studied to provide technical support for the reduction of chemical fertilizer and soil fertility in banana production areas of the the Pearl River Delta.【Method】Field experiments were conducted to study the effects of organic substitution combined with reduced fertilization on banana growth, yield, quality and soil nutrients. The main purpose was to taking conventional fertilization as the control, four fertilizer managements were set up, including 10% reduction of fertilizer amount (10% reduction of nitrogen)+organic fertilizer (T1), 20% reduction of fertilizer amount (20% reduction of nitrogen)+organic fertilizer (T2), 10% reduction of fertilizer amount (10% reduction of nitrogen)+biochar-based-organic fertilizer (T3), and 20% reduction of fertilizer amount (20% reduction of nitrogen)+biochar-based-organic fertilizer (T4), then their effects on the banana growth, yield, and soil nutrients and physical and chemical properties were investigated.【Result】Compared with the control, Organic fertilizer substitution and reduction treatments (T1-T4) could increase the pH and organic matter content of the treated soil. Among them, pH had a more significant effect in ripening stage, increasing by 0.38-0.77. While the soil organic matter content increased more significantly in budding stage, increasing by 6.62%-56.09% compared to the control. Moreover, the soil organic matter content of soil increased with the increasing of organic material application amount. The content of large elements, Calcium and Magnesium in the treated soil during the ripening stage was generally higher than that during the budding stage, but the difference between treatments was not significant. T1-T4 treatment had positive effects on banana growth, yield, quality and leaf nutrient elements, among which the effect of T3 and T4 treatment with carbon-based organic fertilizer was better, and banana yield increased by 14.44% and 13.43% respectively. Soluble solid, soluble sugar, vitamin C content increased 13.09%-21.99%, 3.98%-17.32%, 28.09%-41.57%, respectively.【Conclusion】Comprehensive analysis of banana growth and soil physical/chemical properties, the organic fertilizer substitution combined with reduced fertilization treatment is suitable for the fertilizer reduction and efficient utilization of newly-planted bananas in the pearl river delta.

Abstract Background Totally preperitoneal hernioplasty (TPP) is a concept which was introduced for distinguishing with totally extraperitoneal (TEP). There is few evidence reflecting the single incision laparoscopic totally preperitoneal (SIL-TPP) characteristic. The aim of study is to demonstrate the feasibility of single incision laparoscopic totally preperitoneal hernioplasty (SIL-TPP) and compare the outcomes with the single incision laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal hernioplasty (SIL-TEP) technique. Methods During August 2018 and July 2022, 200 inguinal hernia patients received SIL-TPP and 56 patients received SIL-TEP in the First hospital of Ningbo university. The demographics, clinical characteristics, intraoperative and postoperative parameters were retrospectively analysed. Results SIL-TPP and SIL-TEP hernia repair were successfully conducted in all patients. There was no conversation happened in two group. Patients’ demographics were comparable when compared between the two groups adding the comparison initial 52 cases analysis (P > 0.05). The mean unilateral hernia operative time was significant shorter in the SIL-TPP group than SIL-TEP group (unilateral: 81.38 ± 25.32 vs. 95.96 ± 28.54, P: 0.001). Further study of unilateral hernia operative time revealed the mean indirect hernia operative time was significant shorter in the SIL-TPP group than SIL-TEP group (indirect: 81.38 ± 25.33 vs. 95.87 ± 28.54, P: 0.001). The unilateral hernia operation time trend of initial 52 cases of two group analysis revealed the operation time of SIL-TPP reduced faster than SIL-TEP along with treating number increasing (Figs. 2 and 3). The comparison of initial equal quantity unilateral hernia patient mean operative time revealed the SIL-TPP group was significant shorter than SIL-TEP group (85.77 ± 22.76 vs. 95.87 ± 28.54, P: 0.049). The rate of peritoneum tearing of SIL-TPP group was significant high than SIL-TEP (P = 0.005). Conclusion SIL-TPP hernia repair is a superior procedure and possess its own distinguished advantages. We recommend it rather than SIL-TEP for treating inguinal hernia, especially for indirect hernia. However, large-scale randomized controlled trials comparing SIL-TPP and SIL-TEP are needed to confirm these results.

BackgroundRetrospecting the trust gaps and their dynamics during the pandemic is crucial for understanding the root causes of postpandemic challenges and offers valuable insights into preparing for future public health emergencies. The COVID-19 pandemic eroded people’s trust in strangers and acquaintances, while their trust in family members remained relatively stable. This resulted in 2 trust gaps, namely, the family members–strangers trust gap and the family members–acquaintances trust gap. Widening trust gaps impede social integration and undermine the effective management of public health crises. However, little is known about how digital media use shaped trust gaps during a pandemic. ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the relationships between digital media use, negative emotions, the family members–strangers trust gap, and the family members–acquaintances trust gap during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. We test the mediating role of negative emotions between digital media use and 2 trust gaps and compare the indirect effect of digital media use on 2 trust gaps through negative emotions. MethodsA cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted in China between January 31, 2020, and February 9, 2020. A total of 1568 adults participated in the survey. Questions related to digital media use, negative emotions, trust in family members, trust in acquaintances, and trust in strangers during the pandemic were asked. Regression analyses were performed to test the associations between the examined variables. We used a 95% bootstrap CI approach to estimate the mediation effects. ResultsDigital media use was positively associated with negative emotions (B=0.17, SE 0.03; P

Cadmium (Cd) is a common environmental pollutant associated with an increased incidence of renal metabolic diseases. Luteolin (Lut), a natural flavonoid, is widely used for its multifaceted therapeutic properties in inflammatory diseases. However, whether Lut protects against Cd-induced nephrotoxicity is still equivocal. The present study investigated the effects of Lut supplementation on renal oxidative stress, inflammation and metabolism and their related mechanisms. Therefore, 40 chickens were treated with Cd and/or Lut with automatic water and free food intake for 1 mo and then the kidney tissues were collected to explore this issue. In this study, Cd exposure induced renal glycolipid metabolism disorders and resultant kidney damage by periodic acid Schiff (PAS) staining, Oil Red O staining, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and glucose (Glu) levels in kidney, which were significantly ameliorated by Lut. Moreover, Lut also normalized the expression levels of factors related to Cd-disturbed glycolipid metabolism, improving metabolic homeostasis, and contributing to alleviating kidney damage. Furthermore, Lut demonstrated therapeutic potential against Cd-induced renal oxidative stress and inflammation by enhancing antioxidant capacity and inhibiting cytokine production in the kidney tissues. Mechanistically, Lut activated the AMPK/SIRT1/FOXO1 signaling pathway, attenuating oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, ameliorating the metabolic disturbance. In conclusion, these observations demonstrate that Lut treatment activates AMPK/SIRT1/FOXO1 signaling pathway, decreases oxidative stress and inflammation response, which may contribute to prevent Cd-induced metabolism disorder and consequent kidney damage.

Abstract The conversion of the biomass into eco‐friendly fuels and chemicals has been extensively recognized as the essential pathway to achieve the sustainable economy and carbon neutral society. Lignin, as a kind of promising biomass energy, has been certified to produce the high‐valued chemicals and fuels. Numerous efforts have been made to develop various catalysts for lignin catalytic conversion. Both metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) belong to very important heterogeneous porous catalysts due to their regular porous structures, high specific surface area, and precisely tailored diversities. In the review, the first part focused on the catalytic conversion of lignin, lignin model compounds, and lignin derivatives using the pristine MOFs, functional MOF composites, and MOF‐derived materials. The second part summarized the catalytic conversion of lignin model compounds using pristine COFs and functional COF composites. The review here mainly concentrated on the design of the materials, screening of catalytic conditions, and explorations of the corresponded mechanisms. Specifically, (1) we summarized the MOF‐ and COF‐based materials for the effects on the catalytic transformation of lignin‐related substances; (2) we emphasized the catalytic mechanism of C–C and C–O bonds cleavage together with the structure–activity relationships; (3) we in‐depth realized the relationship between the chemical/electronic/structural properties of the MOF‐ and COF‐based catalysts and their catalytic performance for lignin‐related substances. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives were also discussed on the catalytic conversion of lignin‐related substances by MOF‐ and COF‐based catalysts.

Background and objectivesUpwards of 50% of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) survivors endure varying degrees of disability, with a recurrence rate of 17.7%. Thus, the prediction of outcomes in AIS may be useful for treatment decisions. This study aimed to determine the applicability of a machine learning approach for forecasting early outcomes in AIS patients.MethodsA total of 659 patients with new-onset AIS admitted to the Department of Neurology of both the First and Second Affiliated Hospitals of Bengbu Medical University from January 2020 to October 2022 included in the study. The patient’ demographic information, medical history, Trial of Org 10,172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST), National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and laboratory indicators at 24 h of admission data were collected. The Modified Rankine Scale (mRS) was used to assess the 3-mouth outcome of participants’ prognosis. We constructed nine machine learning models based on 18 parameters and compared their accuracies for outcome variables.ResultsFeature selection through the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator cross-validation (Lasso CV) method identified the most critical predictors for early prognosis in AIS patients as white blood cell (WBC), homocysteine (HCY), D-Dimer, baseline NIHSS, fibrinogen degradation product (FDP), and glucose (GLU). Among the nine machine learning models evaluated, the Random Forest model exhibited superior performance in the test set, achieving an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.852, an accuracy rate of 0.818, a sensitivity of 0.654, a specificity of 0.945, and a recall rate of 0.900.ConclusionThese findings indicate that RF models utilizing general clinical and laboratory data from the initial 24 h of admission can effectively predict the early prognosis of AIS patients.

Abstract Background Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and is the ninth leading cause of death worldwide. It is still difficult to distinguish active TB from latent TB,but it is very important for individualized management and treatment to distinguish whether patients are active or latent tuberculosis infection. Methods A total of 220 subjects, including active TB patients (ATB, n = 97) and latent TB patients (LTB, n = 113), were recruited in this study .46 features about blood routine indicators and the VCS parameters (volume, conductivity, light scatter) of neutrophils(NE), monocytes(MO), and lymphocytes(LY) were collected and was constructed classification model by four machine learning algorithms(logistic regression(LR), random forest(RF), support vector machine(SVM) and k-nearest neighbor(KNN)). And the area under the precision-recall curve (AUPRC) and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) to estimate of the model’s predictive performance for dentifying active and latent tuberculosis infection. Results After verification,among the four classifications, LR and RF had the best performance (AUROC = 1, AUPRC = 1), followed by SVM (AUROC = 0.967, AUPRC = 0.971), KNN (AUROC = 0.943, AUPRC = 0.959) in the training set. And LR had the best performance (AUROC = 0.977, AUPRC = 0.957), followed by SVM (AUROC = 0.962, AUPRC = 0.949), RF (AUROC = 0.903, AUPRC = 0.922),KNN(AUROC = 0.883, AUPRC = 0.901) in the testing set. Conclusions The machine learning algorithm classifier based on leukocyte VCS parameters is of great value in identifying active and latent tuberculosis infection.

Cathode materials have been playing an important role in the development of high-energy, safe and low-cost lithium-ion batteries. However, the widely used single-phase cathode materials are facing great challenges in solving the mileage and safety problems related to electric vehicles due to their inherent structural defects. Intergrown design of bulk structure is believed to be one of the most fundamental ways to improve structural stability and capacity for cathode materials. Due to the diversity of structural configurations, the systematic understanding is still lack for the intergrown structures of different combinations. Therefore, it is very desirable, but also of great importance to summarize the current progress and challenges for intergrown cathodes. In this review, we comprehensively reviewed the design and synthesis methods of intergrown cathodes including layered-spinel intergrown structures, layered-rocksalt intergrown structures, and spinel-rocksalt intergrown structured cathode materials. The charge compensation mechanism of intergrown cathodes with different structural configurations was analyzed in depth, and a targeted optimization schematic diagram was also proposed. Finally, combined with advanced characterization techniques, the understanding of the structural changes has been deepened for the intergrown cathodes during the electrochemical process. It is hoped this review should shed light on the development of advanced cathode materials for the next-generation Li-ion batteries.

Diabetic nephropathy (DKD) is a common chronic complication of diabetes mellitus and an important cause of cardiovascular-related death. Oxidative stress is a key mechanism leading to diabetic nephropathy. However, the current main therapeutic approach remains combination therapy and lacks specific therapies targeting oxidative stress. With the development of nanotechnology targeting ROS, therapeutic fluids regarding their treatment of diabetic nephropathy have attracted attention. In this review, we provide a brief overview of various ROS-based nanomaterials for DKD, including ROS-scavenging nanomaterials, ROS-associated nanodelivery materials, and ROS-responsive nanomaterials. In addition, we summarize and discuss key factors that should be considered when designing ROS-based nanomaterials, such as biosafety, efficacy, targeting, and detection and monitoring of ROS.

Tenghuang Jiangu Wan (THJGW) is a commonly utilized treatment for osteoarthritis (OA), yet its pharmacodynamic material basis and molecular mechanism remain inadequately understood. This study systematically characterized the in vitro and in vivo chemical components of THJGW using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). The pharmacodynamic material basis of THJGW in the treatment of OA was explored through a target network pharmacology approach and molecular docking technology. Cellular experiments were subsequently employed to validate the molecular mechanisms. Consequently, a total of 134 components from THJGW were identified in vitro, comprising 45 flavonoids, 10 iridoid glycosides, 39 phenylethanoid glycosides, 9 phenylpropanoids, 11 organic acids, 4 phenolics, and 16 other compounds. Additionally, 38 prototype absorbed components in serum were characterized for the purpose of network construction. 11 key components and 10 core targets (VEGFA, STAT3, RELA/NF-κB p65, PIK3R1, PIK3CA, MMP9, MMP1, IL-6, HDAC1, and FGF2) were determined by the target network pharmacology. Through Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, it was found that these intersection targets are associated with various signaling pathways such as pathways in cancer, lipid and atherosclerosis, and prostate cancer. Notably, the lipid and atherosclerosis pathway was closely linked to OA. The molecular docking results demonstrated strong binding affinities of the three core targets: IL-6, STAT3, and RELA/NF-κB p65. These results suggest that these targets may play a significant role for THJGW in treating OA. In vitro experiments showed that THJGW had notable protective effects on LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages by reducing levels of TNF-α and IL-6, and inhibiting phosphorylation expression of STAT3 and NF-κB p65 proteins related to the lipid and atherosclerosis pathway. This study provides insight into the pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanism of action for THJGW in the treatment of OA, which provide scientific evidence for the scientific application and improvement of quality standards for THJGW.

Extrachromosomal DNAs (ecDNAs) are a pervasive feature found in cancer and contain oncogenes and their corresponding regulatory elements. Their unique structural properties allow a rapid amplification of oncogenes and alter chromatin accessibility, leading to tumorigenesis and malignant development. The uneven segregation of ecDNA during cell division enhances intercellular genetic heterogeneity, which contributes to tumor evolution that might trigger drug resistance and chemotherapy tolerance. In addition, ecDNA has the ability to integrate into or detach from chromosomal DNA, such progress results into structural alterations and genomic rearrangements within cancer cells. Recent advances in multi-omics analysis revealing the genomic and epigenetic characteristics of ecDNA are anticipated to make valuable contributions to the development of precision cancer therapy. Herein, we conclud the mechanisms of ecDNA generation and the homeostasis of its dynamic structure. In addition to the latest techniques in ecDNA research including multi-omics analysis and biochemical validation methods, we also discuss the role of ecDNA in tumor development and treatment, especially in drug resistance, and future challenges of ecDNA in cancer therapy.

Abstract Bloodstream infection (BSI) caused by bacteria is highly pathogenic and lethal, and easily develops whole-body inflammatory state. Immediate identification of disease-causing bacteria can improve patient prognosis. Traditional testing methods are not only time-consuming, but such tests are limited to laboratories. Recombinase polymerase amplification combined with lateral flow dipstick (RPA-LFD) holds great promise for rapid nucleic acid detection, but the uncapping operation after amplification easily contaminates laboratories. Therefore, the establishment of a more effective integrated isothermal amplification system has become an urgent problem to be solved. In this study, we designed and fabricated a hermetically sealed integrated isothermal amplification system. Combining with this system, a set of RPA-LFD assays for detecting S. aureus, K. peneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, and H. influenza in BSI were established and evaluated. The whole process could be completed in less than 15 min and the results can be visualized by the naked eye. The developed RPA-LFD assays displayed a good sensitivity, and no cross-reactivity was observed in seven similar bacterial genera. The results obtained with 60 clinical samples indicated that the developed RPA-LFD assays had high specifcity and sensitivity for identifying S. aureus, K. peneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, and H. influenza in BSI. In conclusion, our results showed that the developed RPA-LFD assay is an alternative to existing PCR-based methods for detection of S. aureus, K. peneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, and H. influenza in BSI in primary hospitals.

Abstract Chlorpyrifos and pyrimethanil are widely used insecticides/fungicides in agriculture. The residual pesticides/fungicides remaining in fruits and vegetables may do harm to human health if they are taken without notice by the customers. Therefore, it is important to develop methods and tools for the rapid detection of pesticides/fungicides in fruits and vegetables, which are highly demanded in the current markets. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) can achieve trace chemical detection, while it is still a challenge to apply SERS for the detection and identification of mixed pesticides/fungicides. In this work, we tried to combine SERS technique and deep learning spectral analysis for the determination of mixed chlorpyrifos and pyrimethanil on the surface of fruits including apples and strawberries. Especially, the multi-channel convolutional neural networks-gate recurrent unit (MC-CNN-GRU) classification model was used to extract sequence and spatial information in the spectra, so that the accuracy of the optimized classification model could reach 99% even when the mixture ratio of pesticide/fungicide varied considerably. This work therefore demonstrates an effective application of using SERS combined deep learning approach in the rapid detection and identification of different mixed pesticides in agricultural products.

MAX phases and its derived two-dimensional MXenes have attracted considerable interest because of their rich structural chemistry and multifunctional applications. Lewis acid molten salt route provides an opportunity for structure design and performance manipulation of new MAX phases and MXenes, Although a series of new MAX phases and MXenes were successfully prepared via Lewis acid melt route in recent years, few work is explored on nitride MAX phases and MXenes. Herein, a new copper-based 413-type Ti4CuN3 MAX phase was synthesized through isomorphous replacement reaction using Ti4AlN3 MAX phase precursor in molten CuCl2. In addition, it was found that at high temperature Ti4N3Clx MXene will transform into two-dimensional cubic TiNα nanosheets with improved structural stability.

Abstract Background At present, a large number of studies have found that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can be used as biomarkers for diagnosis and monitoring prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The expression of lncRNA cancer susceptibility candidate 7 (CASC7) in HCC has rarely been studied. The purpose of this study was to explore the expression of CASC7 and its correlation with clinical features, and to further analyze its diagnostic value in HCC. Methods Serum samples were collected from 80 patients with HCC, 80 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and 80 healthy people. The expression level of serum CASC7 was detected by droplet digital PCR. Appropriate parametric and nonparametric tests were used for data analysis. Results The results showed that the expression of CASC7 in serum of patients with HCC was significantly higher than that of patients with CHB (median: 8.8 versus 2.2 copies/µl, p

Abstract Background Despite the popularity of modern medicine, medicinal plants remain a cornerstone of treatment for numerous diseases, particularly among ethnic groups and tribal communities around the globe. Ethnomedicine offers advantages such as ease of use, convenience, and economic benefits. Medicinal plant knowledge within Bulang ethnic community of southwest China is a valuable complement to Chinese ethnomedicine systems. Accumulated medical knowledge is due to the extensive length of occupation by Bulang People, considered the earliest inhabitants of Xishuangbanna; this has resulted in the development of various traditional treatment methods with local characteristics and unique curative effects. Therefore, there is exceeding value in exploring the medical knowledge of Bulang. Methods A total of 175 local informants participated in the interviews and distribution of questionnaires in 10 Bulang villages in Menghai County, Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. We documented the community of Bulang's use of medicinal herbs, and we used both the informant consensus factor (ICF) and use value (UV) methodologies to analyze the data. Furthermore, we conducted a comparative study to explore the potential of Bulang traditional medicine by comparing it to traditional Dai medicine. Results The study recorded 60 medicinal plant species belonging to 41 families and 59 genera, including 22 species of herb, 22 species of shrub, nine species of trees, and seven species of liana. Araceae, Compositae, Lamiaceae and Leguminosae were found to have the highest number of species. The affordability and cultural heritage of Bulang medicine make it advantageous, Investigated Informants report that increased usage of Western medicine (88%), less availability of herbal medicine (95.43%), and the reduction in medicinal plant resources (80.57%) pose significant threats to Bulang medicine. All Bulang medicinal plants are naturally grown, with only 22 per cent being cultivated. Camellia sinensis (0.94) and Zingiber officinale (0.89) showed the highest UV values, while the function of Phyllanthus emblica L. and Houttuynia cordata Thunb. were also noted. The ICF revealed digestive system related diseases were the most commonly treated, with conditions of the motor system using the highest number of plant species. Finally, a comparison with traditional Dai medicine determined that 22 plants (36.67%) of the 60 surveyed had higher medicinal value in Bulang medicine. Conclusion Bulang communities primarily source medicinal plants from the wild. Should environmental damage lead to the extinction of these medicinal plants, it could result in a shift toward modern Western medicine as a preferred medical treatment. Bulang ethnomedicine is a vital supplement to China's traditional medicine, particularly aspects of ethnic medicine relevant to daily life. Future research should emphasize inter-ethnic medical studies to reveal the untapped potential of medicinal plants.

Three successive vegetable pot experiments were conducted to assess the effects on the long-term immobilization of heavy metals in soil and crop yield improvement after the addition of peanut shell biochar and an alkaline mineral to an acidic soil contaminated with lead and cadmium. Compared with the CK treatment, the change rates of biomass in the edible parts of the three types of vegetables treated with B0.3, B1, B3, B9, R0.2 and B1R0.2 were −15.43%~123.30%, 35.10%~269.09%, 40.77%~929.31%, −26.08%~711.99%, 44.14%~1067.12% and 53.09%~1139.06%, respectively. The cadmium contents in the edible parts of the three vegetables treated with these six additives reduced by 2.08%~13.21%, 9.56%~24.78%, 9.96%~35.61%, 41.96%~78.42%, −4.19%~57.07% and 12.43%~65.92%, respectively, while the lead contents in the edible parts reduced by −15.70%~59.47%, 6.55%~70.75%, 3.40%~80.10%, 55.26%~89.79%, 11.05%~70.15% and 50.35%~79.25%, respectively. Due to the increases in soil pH, soil cation-exchange capacity and soil organic carbon content, the accumulation of Cd and Pb in the vegetables was most notably reduced with a high dosage of 9% peanut shell biochar alone, followed by the addition of a low dosage of 1% peanut shell biochar blended with 0.2% alkaline mineral. Therefore, the addition of a low dosage of 1% peanut shell biochar blended with 0.2% alkaline mineral was the best additive in increasing the vegetable biomass, whereas the addition of 9% peanut shell biochar alone was the worst. Evidently, the addition of 0.2% alkaline mineral can significantly reduce the amount of peanut shell needed for passivating heavy metals in soil, while it also achieves the effect of increasing the vegetable yield.

An automatic composition system that includes music generation and music assessment is designed in this paper. In terms of music generation, we modify the Transformer-XL model for generating music. The Mask mechanism based on Transformer-XL is improved to make the attention of model tend to pay on the bidirectional information, so that the generated popular piano music forms a coherent whole. In terms of music assessment, we combine objective and subjective assessment to judge the generated music in a comprehensive way. Meanwhile, we put forward a new objective assessment method, namely the piano roll classification scoring network. It converts music into pictures and uses classification models in the CV, enabling the network itself to classify and score the generated music. The assessment results from subjective and objective experiments show that by improving the Mask mechanism of Transformer-XL, the model is trained to be better and the generated music could achieve the effect of imitating the real music.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an important heat-trapping gas, or greenhouse gas, that comes from the extraction and burning of fossil fuels. On the other hand, plastic is widely used for making various products, such as medical devices and packaging bags, but it causes pollution that damages human health and the environment. Therefore, biodegradable plastic materials synthesized by using CO2 is one of the most desirable alternatives of traditional non-biodegradable plastic materials to alleviate anthropogenic CO2 and non-degradable plastic pollution. Particularly, CO2-based poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) has received increasing attention owing to its good functionalization modification advantages and its potential in the large-scale utilization of CO2. We review the synthetic routes of PPCs through incorporations of different functionalized third monomers to the polymer chains and their effects on properties of newly functionalized PPCs. The results show that the copolymerization of CO2 and propylene oxide (PO) provides a way to utilize excess CO2 for producing biodegradable and environmentally friendly polymerization products (i.e., CO2-based PPC). This offers a novel strategy for the preparation of new and potentially sustainable plastic materials.

Abstract Immune responses induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection play a critical role in the pathogenesis and outcome of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). However, the dynamic profile of immune responses postinfection by SARS‐CoV‐2 variants of concern (VOC) is not fully understood. In this study, peripheral blood mononuclear cells single‐cell sequencing was performed to determine dynamic profiles of immune response to Prototype, Alpha, Beta, and Delta in a rhesus monkey model. Overall, all strains induced dramatic changes in both cellular subpopulations and gene expression levels at 1 day postinfection (dpi), which associated function including adaptive immune response, innate immunity, and IFN response. COVID‐19‐related genes revealed different gene profiles at 1 dpi among the four SARS‐CoV‐2 strains, including genes reported in COVID‐19 patients with increased risk of autoimmune disease and rheumatic diseases. Delta‐infected animal showed inhibition of translation pathway. B cells, T cells, and monocytes showed much commonality rather than specificity among the four strains. Monocytes were the major responders to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, and the response lasted longer in Alpha than the other strains. Thus, this study reveals the early immune responses induced by SARS‐CoV‐2 Proto or its variants in nonhuman primates, which is important information for controlling rapidly evolving viruses.

ABSTRACTCAR-T cell therapy has demonstrated efficacy in treating certain hematological malignancies. However, the administration of CAR-T cells is accompanied by the occurrence of adverse events. Among these, cytokine release syndrome (CRS) has garnered significant attention. In this descriptive study, we set the search criteria to retrieve and obtain articles regarding CAR-T cell-related CRS from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). The bibliometric and knowledge-map analysis of these documents was conducted using Microsoft Excel 2019, GraphPad Prism 8, CtieSpace, and VOSviewer. 6,623 authors from 295 institutions in 49 countries coauthored a total of 1,001 publications. The leading country in this field was the United States. The most productive institution was the University of Pennsylvania. Carl H. June had the most citations, while Daniel W. Lee had the most co-citations. Research hotspots primarily concentrated on the pathogenesis, serum biomarkers, management, and therapeutic drugs of CRS, alongside neurotoxicity. Emerging topics within this discipline encompassed the following: a. Drugs for effective treatment and intervention of CRS; b. Conducting pertinent clinical trials to acquire real-world data; c. Management of toxicity (CRS and neurotoxicity) associated with CAR-T cell therapy; d. The study of BCMA-CAR-T cells in multiple myeloma (MM); e. Optimizing the CAR framework structure to enhance the effectiveness and safety of CAR-T cells. A bibliometric and scientific knowledge-map analysis provided a unique and objective perspective for exploring the field of CAR-T cell-related CRS, and may provide some new clues and valuable references for researchers.

AbstractObjective The objective of this study is to explore the clinicopathological characteristics of gastric cancer and precancerous conditions in patients with primary gastric lymphoma.Methods We analyzed 474 cases of primary gastric lymphoma, mainly DLBCL and MALT, from three clinical centres retrospectively, and compared the clinicopathological parameters of primary gastric lymphoma patients complicated with gastric cancer, precancerous conditions, or with no complications.Results A total of 5.1% of the patients with primary gastric lymphoma were diagnosed with gastric cancer, including metachronous gastric adenocarcinoma (3.2%) and synchronous gastric adenocarcinoma (1.9%). Of the patients with gastric lymphoma, 14.6% had precancerous conditions including atrophy (14.6%), intestinal metaplasia (8.9%), and low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (1.9%). Primary gastric lymphoma patients with an ulcerative type (p = 0.009) and Lugano classification stage IIE + IV (p

ABSTRACTMultiple clinical and epidemiological studies have shown an interconnection between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and diabetes, but experimental evidence is still lacking. Understanding the interplay between them is important because of the global health burden of COVID-19 and diabetes. We found that C57BL/6J mice were susceptible to the alpha strain of SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, diabetic C57BL/6J mice with leptin receptor gene deficiency (db/db mice) showed a higher viral load in the throat and lung and slower virus clearance in the throat after infection than C57BL/6J mice. Histological and multifactor analysis revealed more advanced pulmonary injury and serum inflammation in SARS-CoV-2 infected diabetic mice. Moreover, SARS-CoV-2 infected diabetic mice exhibited more severe insulin resistance and islet cell loss than uninfected diabetic mice. By RNA sequencing analysis, we found that diabetes may reduce the collagen level, suppress the immune response and aggravate inflammation in the lung after infection, which may account for the greater susceptibility of diabetic mice and their more severe lung damage after infection. In summary, we successfully established a SARS-CoV-2 infected diabetic mice model and demonstrated that diabetes and COVID-19 were risk factors for one another.

A novel class of high-entropy rare-earth metal diborodicarbide (Y0.25Yb0.25Dy0.25Er0.25)B2C2 (HE-REB2C2) ceramics was successfully fabricated using the in-situ reactive spark plasma sintering (SPS) technology for the first time. Single solid solution with a typical tetragonal structure was formed, having a homogeneous distribution of four rare-earth elements, such as Y, Yb, Dy, and Er. Coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) along the a and c directions (αa and αc) were determined to be 4.18 and 16.06 μK−1, respectively. Thermal expansion anisotropy of the as-obtained HE-REB2C2 was attributed to anisotropy of the crystal structure of HE-REB2C2. The thermal conductivity (k) of HE-REB2C2 was 9.2±0.09 W·m−1·K−1, which was lower than that of YB2C2 (19.2±0.07 W·m−1·K−1), DyB2C2 (11.9±0.06 W·m−1·K−1), and ErB2C2 (12.1±0.03 W·m−1·K−1), due to high-entropy effect and sluggish diffusion effect of high-entropy ceramics (HECs). Furthermore, Vickers hardness of HE-REB2C2 was slightly higher than that of REB2C2 owing to the solid solution hardening mechanism of HECs. Typical nano-laminated fracture morphologies, such as kink boundaries, delamination, and slipping were observed at the tip of Vickers indents, suggesting ductile behavior of HE-REB2C2. This newly investigated class of ductile HE-REB2C2 ceramics expanded the family of HECs to diboridcarbide compounds, which can lead to more research works on high-entropy rare-earth diboridcarbides in the near future.

Abstract With the development of the energy structure of the power system, the characterization of the observed oscillation in the power system has steadily evolved. With the increasingly high penetration of distributed energy sources and power electronic devices, such as the photovoltaic, wind power and charging pile, the basic mechanism, frequency ranges and propagation of oscillation would become more dynamic and complex. Therefore, the traditional parameter estimation, as well as the suppression methods would also suffer from dynamic oscillations. To this end, this paper first investigates the oscillation propagation and typical events caused by the oscillations. Next, the oscillation model estimation method including the model‐based and data‐driven based methods is discussed. The benefits and difficulties of various parameter estimate techniques are highlighted. Under this context, the validity and limitations of the current power system stability are summarized. Furthermore, the different oscillation damping and mitigation measures are compared, and the major adaptability and limitations are listed for the specific application scenarios. Conclusions are drawn, and the wideband oscillation becomes the future research objective where the future work is presented at the end of the paper.

N-(1,3-Dimethyl butyl)-N′-phenyl-phenylenediamine-quinone (6PPD-Q) is a derivative of the widely used rubber tire antioxidant 6PPD, which was first found to be acutely toxic to coho salmon. Subsequent studies showed that 6PPD-Q had species-specific acute toxicity in fishes and potential hepatotoxicity in mice. In addition, 6PPD-Q has been reported in human urine, demonstrating the potential widespread exposure of humans to this chemical. However, whether 6PPD-Q poses a higher risk to humans than its parent compound, 6PPD, and could cause adverse effects in humans is still unclear. In this study, we utilized two human liver cell models (the human proto-hepatocyte model L02 and the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2) to investigate the potentially differential effects of these two chemicals. Cell viability curve analysis showed that 6PPD-Q had lower IC50 values than 6PPD for both liver cell lines, suggesting higher toxicity of 6PPD-Q to human liver cells than 6PPD. In addition, L02 cells are more sensitive to 6PPD-Q exposure, which might be derived from its weaker metabolic transformation of 6PPD-Q, since significantly lower levels of phase I and phase II metabolites were detected in 6PPD-Q-exposed L02 cell culture medium. Furthermore, pathway analysis showed that 6PPD-Q exposure induced changes in phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis and tyrosine metabolism pathways in L02 cells, which might be the mechanism underlying its liver cell toxicity. Gene expression analysis revealed that exposure to 6PPD-Q induced excessive ROS production in L02 cells. Our results further supported the higher risk of 6PPD-Q than 6PPD and provided insights for understanding the effects of 6PPD-Q on human health.

To conduct a more in-depth study of the flow mechanism of power-law fluids within sewage pumps, this paper focuses on self-priming sewage pumps, with typical power-law fluid (Carboxymethyl Cellulose, CMC) as the conveying medium. The constitutive equations for sewage and typical power-law fluid (CMC solution) were established using the power-law model. Through numerical calculation methods, the non-steady flow field inside the pump of different concentration power-law fluids was analyzed from various aspects such as velocity, pressure, vorticity, and wall shear stress. The pressure pulsations at key locations in the pump flow field were monitored and analyzed. At the rated flow rate, when the concentration of CMC solution increased from 0.5% to 2.0%, the channel pressure and tongue pressure decreased by 16.5% and 3.5%, respectively. This indicates that the pressure on the impeller blades, within the flow passages, and at the tongue of the volute all decrease with the increase in concentration of CMC solution. This may alter the fluid flow pattern, leading to more vortex motion and shear deformation, while also reducing the pump’s pressure boosting capability, thereby affecting the pump’s performance stability. It can be inferred from quantitative comparisons that changes in rheological properties had a significant impact on the flow characteristics of sewage pumps. This paper reveals that some flow characteristics of power-law fluids in sewage pumps, providing a theoretical and reference basis for the performance optimization and flow mechanism research of sewage pumps.

The pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is still unknown. Mesenteric lymphatics (MLs), which are closely related to the intestine in both anatomy and physiology, have been suggested to be involved in IBD. In the present study, we aim to investigate the effects of ML immune cells on IBD and explore the potential associated mechanisms. Acute colitis was induced in rats using dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS). Mesenteric lymphangiogenesis, ML stenosis, and dilation were observed, with an increased proportion of MLB cells in DSS-induced colitis rats. The adoptive transfer of B cells isolated from ML (MLB) was employed to investigate their effects on colitis. MLB cells derived from DSS-induced colitis rats exhibited a higher propensity to migrate to the intestine. The proportion of colonic T cells was altered, along with the aggravated colitis induced by the adoptive transfer of MLB cells derived from DSS-induced colitis rats. RNA sequencing revealed increased Cxcr5 expression in MLB cells from colitis rats, while real-time PCR indicated an upregulation of its ligand Cxcl13 in the colon of colitis rats. These findings suggest that MLB cells may migrate to the intestine and aggravate colitis. In summary, colonic T cells respond to MLB cells from colitis rats, and MLB cells aggravate DSS-induced colitis via the CXCR5–CXCL13 axis.

Chickens are a major source of meat and eggs in human food and have significant economic value. Cadmium (Cd) is a common environmental pollutant that can contaminate feed and drinking water, leading to kidney injury in livestock and poultry, primarily by inducing the generation of free radicals. It is necessary to develop potential medicines to prevent and treat Cd-induced nephrotoxicity in poultry. Luteolin (Lut) is a natural flavonoid compound mainly extracted from peanut shells and has a variety of biological functions to defend against oxidative damage. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate whether Lut can alleviate kidney injury under Cd exposure and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Renal histopathology and cell morphology were observed. The indicators of renal function, oxidative stress, DNA damage and repair, NAD+ content, SIRT1 activity, and autophagy were analyzed. In vitro data showed that Cd exposure increased ROS levels and induced oxidative DNA damage and repair, as indicated by increased 8-OHdG content, increased γ-H2AX protein expression, and the over-activation of the DNA repair enzyme PARP-1. Cd exposure decreased NAD+ content and SIRT1 activity and increased LC3 II, ATG5, and particularly p62 protein expression. In addition, Cd-induced oxidative DNA damage resulted in PARP-1 over-activation, reduced SIRT1 activity, and autophagic flux blockade, as evidenced by reactive oxygen species scavenger NAC application. The inhibition of PARP-1 activation with the pharmacological inhibitor PJ34 restored NAD+ content and SIRT1 activity. The activation of SIRT1 with the pharmacological activator RSV reversed Cd-induced autophagic flux blockade and cell injury. In vivo data demonstrated that Cd treatment caused the microstructural disruption of renal tissues, reduced creatinine, and urea nitrogen clearance, raised MDA content, and decreased the activities or contents of antioxidants (GSH, T-SOD, CAT, and T-AOC). Cd treatment caused oxidative DNA damage and PARP-1 activation, decreased NAD+ content, decreased SIRT1 activity, and impaired autophagic flux. Notably, the dietary Lut supplement observably alleviated these alterations in chicken kidney tissues induced by Cd. In conclusion, the dietary Lut supplement alleviated Cd-induced chicken kidney injury through its potent antioxidant properties by relieving the oxidative DNA damage-activated PARP-1-mediated reduction in SIRT1 activity and repairing autophagic flux blockade.

Biodiversity plays an important role in maintaining the ecological balance of the earth. The study of traditional knowledge related to biological resources is a hot issue in the field of international biodiversity conservation. Xishuangbanna is a key area of biodiversity and a cultural hotspot of international significance. According to the Technical Regulation for Classification, Investigation, and Inventory of Traditional Knowledge Relating to Biological Diversity issued by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, we investigated and catalogued the traditional knowledge related to biodiversity of the Jino people who have lived in Xishuangbanna for generations, and collected 490 entries of traditional knowledge related to biodiversity of the Jino people. Drawing on the traditional knowledge diversity index calculation method proposed by Wang Guoping, the overall traditional knowledge α-diversity index of the Jino people is 0.63, indicating that the richness of the traditional knowledge of the Jinuo people is relatively high. The traditional culture related to biodiversity, the traditional knowledge related to agricultural genetic resources, and the traditional technology related to the sustainable utilization of biological resources are relatively rich and diverse. The diversity index is 0.86, 0.82 and 0.79, respectively. In addition, Xishuangbanna has invested a lot of energy in biodiversity protection, including the establishment of nature reserves, botanical gardens, zoos, ecological tea gardens and other species reserves, and the promulgation of laws and policies related to biodiversity protection, and has achieved remarkable results in in situ protection and ex situ protection. On the basis of analyzing the progress and achievements of biodiversity conservation in Xishuangbanna, this study points out that Xishuangbanna faces challenges such as the loss of traditional knowledge, insufficient conservation efforts, and great changes in land use, and puts forward corresponding suggestions.

The polar sulfonate groups in cationic dyeable polyester (CDP) lead to complex crystallization behavior, affecting CDP production’s stability. In this study, cationic dyeable polyesters (CDP) with different sulfonate group contents were prepared via one-step feeding of sodium isophthalic acid-5-sulfonate (SIPA), terephthalic acid (PTA), and ethylene glycol (EG). The non-isothermal crystallization behavior of these copolyesters was analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Results show that the crystallization temperature of the sample shifts to lower values with the increase in SIPA content. The relaxation behavior of the molecular chain is enhanced due to the ionic aggregation effect of sulfonate groups in CDP. Therefore, at low cooling rates (2.5 °C/min and 5 °C/min), some molecular chain segments in CDP are still too late to orderly stack into the lattice, forming metastable crystals, and melting double peaks appear on the melting curve after crystallization. When the cooling rate increases (10–20 °C/min), the limited region of sulfonate aggregation in CDP increases, resulting in more random chain segments, and a cold crystallization peak appears on the melting curve after crystallization. The non-isothermal crystallization behavior of all samples was fitted and analyzed by the Jeziorny equation, Ozawa equation, and Mo equation. The results indicate that the nucleation density and nucleation growth rate of CDP decrease with the increase in SIPA content. Meanwhile, analysis of the Kissinger equation reveals that the activation energy of non-isothermal crystallization decreases gradually with the increase in SIPA content, and the addition of SIPA makes CDP crystallization more difficult.

Abstract Background The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) is an important alternative metabolic biomarker of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Nevertheless, the correlation between the AIP and carotid atherosclerosis is unknown among the general population. Methods A total of 52,380 community residents, aged ≥ 40 years who underwentcervical vascular ultrasound from December 2017 to December 2020 in Hunan China, were selected for retrospective analysis. The AIP was calculated as a logarithmically converted ratio of triglycerides (TG) to high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). The participants were divided into AIP quartile groups (Q1-Q4). Logistic regression models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to examine the association of the AIP with carotid atherosclerosis. Stratified analyses were applied to control for confounding factors. The incremental predictive value of the AIP was further assessed. Results After adjusting for traditional risk factors, an increased AIP was associated with a higher rate of carotid atherosclerosis (CA), increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and plaques [odds ratio, OR (95% confidence interval, CI): 1.06 (1.04, 1.08), 1.07 (1.05, 1.09), and 1.04 (1.02, 1.06) per 1-SD increase in the AIP, respectively]. Compared with those participants in the quartile 1 group, those in the quartile 4 group had a greater risk of CA [OR 1.18, 95% CI (1.12, 1.25)], increased CIMT [OR 1.20, 95% CI (1.13, 1.26)], and plaques [OR 1.13, 95% CI (1.06, 1.19)]. However, we did not observe an association between the AIP and stenosis [0.97 (0.77, 1.23), p for trend = 0.758]. Restricted cubic spline analyses also showed a cumulative increase in the risk of CA, increased CIMT, and plaques but not stenosis severity (> 50%) with an increase of the AIP. Subgroup analyses showed that a more significant association between the AIP and the prevalence of increased CA was detected in younger subjects (aged

Two-dimensional Sc2CO2 MXene materials have been considered highly potential for gas capture and gas sensor applications. In this study, the adsorption behaviors of small molecules such as NH3, SO3, O2, H2CO and C2H4 on Sc2CO2 monolayer were investigated using first-principles methods. Our results demonstrate the preferential adsorption of NH3 over other species with adsorption energies as high as −0.55 eV. And Sc2CO2 is transformed from an indirect bandgap semiconductor to a direct bandgap semiconductor after NH3 adsorption, and the appropriate band gap makes it potential for light absorption and photodetection. In addition, the carrier mobility of Sc2CO2 monolayer is significantly enhanced by adsorption, making it easy to detect changes in resistance. The room-temperature electron mobilities of NH3-adsorbed Sc2CO2 along armchair and zigzag directions are predicted to be as high as 16.75 × 103 and 13.19 × 103 cm2V−1S−1, while the room-temperature hole mobilities along armchair and zigzag directions are determined to be 10.77 × 103 and 11.09 × 103 cm2V−1S−1, respectively. According to the present results, Sc2CO2 monolayer is expected to be promising for the design and application of efficient NH3 gas sensor devices with high selectivity, high sensitivity and low recovery time through analytical methods based on optical and/or electronic responses.

Abstract Background Patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are at high risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) despite timely treatment. This study aimed to investigate the independent predictors and their predictive value of in-hospital MACE after primary PCI in patients with acute STEMI under the China chest pain center (standard center) treatment system. Methods We performed a single-center, retrospective study of 151 patients with acute STEMI undergoing primary PCI. All patients were treated under the China chest pain center (standard center) treatment system. The data collected included general data, vital signs, auxiliary examination results, data related to interventional therapy, and various treatment delays. The primary endpoint was the in-hospital MACE defined as the composite of all-cause death, stroke, nonfatal recurrent myocardial infarction, new-onset heart failure, and malignant arrhythmias. Results In-hospital MACE occurred in 71 of 151 patients with acute STEMI undergoing primary PCI. Logistic regression analysis showed that age, cardiac troponin I (cTnI), serum creatinine (sCr), multivessel coronary artery disease, and Killip class III/IV were risk factors for in-hospital MACE, whereas estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), were protective factors, with eGFR, LVEF, cTnI, SBP, and Killip class III/IV being independent predictors of in-hospital MACE. The prediction model had good discrimination with an area under the curve = 0. 778 (95%CI: 0.690–0.865). Good calibration and clinical utility were observed through the calibration and decision curves, respectively. Conclusions Our data suggest that eGFR, LVEF, cTnI, SBP, and Killip class III/IV independently predict in-hospital MACE after primary PCI in patients with acute STEMI, and the prediction model constructed based on the above factors could be useful for individual risk assessment and early management guidance.

Transetherifications between ethers and alcohols are fundamental organic reactions that are frequently used for the preparations of unsymmetrical ethers. In this article, the authors challenge the fundamental tenets of the traditional transetherification mechanism via systematic experimental and computational investigations of a Re2O7-mediated annulation.

Chia seed has a long edible history. In recent years, it has drew the attention of many researchers and has been applied in China. The active ingredients of Chia seed mainly include fatty acids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, protein, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals, which have physiological activities of anti-oxidation, regulating blood lipids, regulating blood pressure, regulating blood sugar, reducing creatine kinase and anti inflammatory disinfection. With the enhancement of people's awareness of health care and the pursuit of nutritious food, Chia seed has gradually become a hot topic in the field of food research. At present, most of Chia seed are directly added to the food as additives, without in-depth development of new products. It has a good effect in preventing cancer and regulating blood lipids, regulating blood pressure, regulating blood sugar. Few new products have been developed, and the relevant research needs to be deepened. The present review summarizes active ingredients, physiological action and function of Chia seed as well as its application in food, health products, and cosmetics industries. This review aims to provide reference for the research and development of Chia seed.

Spin ice compounds are typically insulating and introducing carriers can destroy the spin ice state, making integration into electronic devices problematic. Here the authors report a transport response to an ice-rule-breaking transition in a heterostructure of a pyrochlore spin ice and a nonmagnetic metal.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid-bilayer membrane-enclosed vesicles that are secreted by all cell types. Natural EVs contain biological information such as proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids from their parent cells. Therefore, EVs have been extensively studied as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic tools under normal and pathological conditions. However, some drawbacks, including low yield, poor therapeutic effects, lack of imaging, and targeting capacity of natural EVs, still need to be improved. Emerging engineering technologies have rendered EVs new properties or functionalities that broadened their applications in the biomedical field. Herein, in this review, we gave a brief overview of advanced strategies for EV engineering. We focused on pre-treatment of parent cells to regulate their released EVs. Meanwhile, we summarized and discussed the direct modification of EVs to achieve drug loading, imaging, and targeting functionalities for downstream applications.

Owing to the high storage capacity and multiple‐electron‐transfer chemistry of sulfur (S), sulfur‐based (S‐based) batteries with merits of high theoretical capacity/energy density, eco‐friendliness, and abundant supply hold much potential for energy‐storage/conversion devices. The capacity of S‐based batteries is much higher than that of traditional‐metal‐oxide cathode‐based lithium‐ion batteries, which is regarded as the highest capacity of solid‐state cathode materials at the current stage. As a vital component of S‐based batteries, separators play a profound role in resolving urgent issues (e.g., shuttling effect, volume expansion, poor conductivity, and metal dendrites, etc.). So far, some pioneering works have been reported in the exploration of separators for S‐based battery. On this basis, covalent organic frameworks (COFs), as a kind of functional materials, offer much possibility for S‐based battery separators due to their advantages such as high porosity, crystalline and well‐defined structures, designable struts, and tunable functions, etc. Herein, the reported works about COFs in S‐based battery separators including their structural characteristics, preparation methods, application forms, and battery properties are summarized. Moreover, also, a brief perspective is proposed on the challenges of COFs applied in S‐based battery separators, and new insights are provided for scientists in this field.