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Abstract Copine proteins are highly conserved and ubiquitously found in eukaryotes, and their indispensable roles in different species were proposed. However, their exact function remains unclear. The phytohormone brassinosteroids (BRs) play vital roles in plant growth, development and environmental responses. A key event in effective BR signaling is the formation of functional BRI1-SERK receptor complex and subsequent transphosphorylation upon ligand binding. Here, we demonstrate that BONZAI (BON) proteins, which are plasma membrane-associated copine proteins, are critical components of BR signaling in both the monocot maize and the dicot Arabidopsis. Biochemical and molecular analyses reveal that BON proteins directly interact with SERK kinases, thereby ensuring effective BRI1-SERK interaction and transphosphorylation. This study advances the knowledge on BR signaling and provides an important target for optimizing valuable agronomic traits, it also opens a way to study steroid hormone signaling and copine proteins of eukaryotes in a broader perspective.

ObjectiveThe present study aims to investigate the levels of illness uncertainty in patients with moyamoya disease and to determine the association of socio-demographic characteristics, perceived social support and resilience with illness uncertainty in patients with moyamoya disease.MethodA cross-sectional survey using convenience sampling was conducted in two hospitals in China from August to December 2023. A socio-demographic characteristics questionnaire, the Chinese versions of Mishel’s Unsurety in Disease Scale (MUIS), the Chinese version of Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and the Chinese version of Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were used to perform this research. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 24.0 statistical software. The t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), pearson correlation analysis and hierarchical regression analysis were used to identify associated factors.ResultA total of 263 patients with moyamoya disease were recruited in this survey. The score of illness uncertainty was at a moderate level of (100.03 ± 18.59). The present study identified a negative correlation between illness uncertainty with resilience perceived social support. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that gender, occupation, education level, resilience and perceived social support were the related factors of illness uncertainty.ConclusionPatients with moyamoya disease experienced moderate disease uncertainty on average, which was related to gender, occupation, education level, resilience and perceived social support. Future research is needed to better explore the complex relationships between illness uncertainty, resilience, and perceived social support with different types of moyamoya disease using longitudinal research.

ObjectiveIn this study, we aimed to determine the relationships among perceived social support, mindful self-care, and resilience in a sample of nurses in three provinces of China.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in seven hospitals in Guangdong, Guizhou, and Henan provinces between August and October, 2023; the provinces are located in south, southwest, and central China. A total of 389 nurses were surveyed using a self-designed sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire and the Chinese versions of Multidimensional Scale of the Perceived Social Support, Brief-Mindful Self-Care Scale and the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10).ResultsOf the 389 nurses, the majority were women (n = 365; 93.8%), aged 26–35 years (n = 244; 62.7%) and had bachelor’s degrees (n = 337; 86.6%), had worked for 10–20 years (n = 136; 35%), with junior professional titles (n = 331; 85.1%), and had a monthly income in the range 3,001–6,000 yuan in CNY (n = 239; 61.4%). Nurses’ resilience was measured using the CD-RISC-10, which ranges from 10 to 40 points. And average score of nurses’ resilience was (23.94 ± 6.95). Multiple linear regression showed that scores for resilience were higher among nurses who had higher educational attainment (95% confidence interval: 0.568–3.024, p

Due to the different capacity, internal resistance, electrochemical characteristics and other parameters between different lithium-ion battery cells, the energy consumption and collection speed of the battery are inconsistent during the charging and discharging process, resulting in uneven energy distribution, resulting in excessive discharge of the battery. In order to eliminate the inconsistencies of lithium-ion batteries and improve the utilization rate of groups, a control method for energy balance of multi-group lithium-ion batteries under the Internet of Things technology was proposed. Under the layered architecture of the Internet of Things, voltage information from each lithium battery is collected by the sensing layer. Subsequently, the collected data is weighted and fused using an adaptive weighted multi-sensor data fusion algorithm to enhance the accuracy and stability of the voltage information. The Controller Area Network (CAN) bus is used as the communication medium to upload the voltage information after fusion. In the application layer, multiple sets of lithium-ion battery equalization control circuits are designed. The capacitance of the capacitor is calculated using supercapacitors. Through the remote monitoring module based on Android operating system, combined with 4G Internet of Things technology, the remote monitoring of lithium-ion battery status information is realized. Experiments show that the method can effectively control the energy balance of the lithium-ion battery pack, when the experiment reaches 50 seconds, the end time of the lithium battery balance control is about 540 seconds, the balance efficiency is greater than 98%, the battery voltage standard deviation is always less than 10 mV, to ensure the balanced distribution of energy in the battery pack, and further promote the application and promotion of renewable energy.

MoS2 is a promising alternative to Pt in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to its low cost. To enhance the catalytic properties of the 2H MoS2 inert basal plane, we propose an approach of employing oxygen incorporated MoS2 as a catalyst for HER. Different density of oxygen substitution doped monolayer MoS2 samples (MoS1.51O0.49, MoS1.55O0.45, MoS1.67O0.33) were achieved by chemical vapor deposition method and their catalytic performance were tested. Experimentally, we demonstrate that oxygen substitution can activate the inert basal plane and the catalytic performance is dependent on the oxygen substitution percentage. Also, combining with DFT calculations, we confirm that oxygen substitution act as catalytic sites. Our work provides a strategy for enhancing of monolayer MoS2 HER activities through in situ substitution doping.

Abstract Background Research on dairy consumption in China is lacking, however, some evidence has demonstrated significant changes in recent years, with a reported increase in the overall consumption of dairy products. To fully understand these changes, a systematic review was conducted to examine reported dairy intakes and differences between dairy consumption in different population groups in China. Methods: Web of Science, Embase, and PubMed databases were searched for studies published from January 2000 to September 2022. The China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) was used to retrieve papers available in Chinese. Papers reporting dietary intakes of dairy consumption across age, sex, and geographical location sub-groups were considered for inclusion in this review. In addition, this review includes the consumption of different types of dairy foods and changes in dairy intake over time. Results: Forty-seven papers were included in the present study. Twelve papers examined dairy consumption across age groups, showing that middle-aged adults tend to consume less dairy than other age groups. Studies comparing across location-specific cohorts reported dairy intakes among urban populations were higher than rural, as well as being higher than the national average. Coastal, Northern and Eastern residents consumed more dairy products than those living in other regions of China, and people in larger cities had higher reported intakes than smaller cities. Milk was the primary dairy product reportedly consumed by Chinese population, followed by yogurt. Concerning sex, evidence showed that females generally reported a greater daily dairy intake than males. Conclusions: This review shows that, in China, several different population groups displayed significant differences in the amount and type of dairy consumed. When considering the incorporation of dairy products into healthy eating guidelines or positioning specific dairy products on the market, it is important to consider the differences and variations in consumption patterns within population groups.

Rubbing between a blade and its coated casing is one of the main failures in aero-engine systems. This paper aims to study the effects of coated casings on rubbing-induced dynamic responses considering the flexibility of the coated casing and the flexibility of the blade. Firstly, an actual compressor blade is established by the shell element and verified by the experiment and ANSYS 19.2 software. Subsequently, a new dynamic model for the coated casing is proposed based on the laminated shell element, and the proposed dynamic model for the coated casing is verified by comparing the natural characteristics calculated by ANSYS software. Moreover, a comprehensive analysis is conducted to analyze the influences of the casing model, coating parameters, and casing parameters on vibration characteristics. Finally, the results show that the coating can diminish the severity level of rubbing. Notably, the material and thickness of the coating can change the nodal diameter vibrations of the casings (NDVCs) induced by rubbing. This study provides valuable guidance for the optimization and design of blade–casing systems.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to explore the demands of nurses on the workplace environment related to psychological resilience.MethodsA qualitative descriptive design was employed for this study. Purposeful sampling was chosen from a tertiary hospital in Henan Province, China. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 nurses. The interview data was analyzed using the Colaizzi’s method and results were reported following the COREQ standards.ResultsAnalysis of the interview data revealed three main themes: (1) Career Support and Development, (2) Practical Support & Development, and (3) Personal Support and Development.ConclusionThe perspectives of nurses for a workplace environment demands needs to be appreciated, and in addition, it is worth noting that the key role of building a good workplace environment in strengthening the resilience of nurses emphasizes the need for careful consideration. Nursing administrators should formulate policies and measures from multiple perspectives based on the real needs of nurses in terms of professional, practical, and personal dimensions.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare an oblique bikini-incision via direct anterior approach (BI-DAA) to a conventional posterolateral approach (PLA) during simultaneous bilateral total hip arthroplasty (simBTHA) in terms of early patient outcomes, postoperative functional recovery, and complications. From January 2017 to January 2020, 106 patients receiving simBTHA were enrolled and randomly allocated to the BI-DAA or PLA group. Primary outcomes were measured using hemoglobin (HGB) drop, transfusion rate, the length of stay (LOS), the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, the Harris hip score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and the scar cosmesis assessment and rating scale. Secondary outcomes were the operative time, radiographic measurements, including femoral offset, femoral anteversion, stem varus/valgus angle, and leg length discrepancy (LLD). The occurrence of postoperative complications was also recorded. There were no differences in demographic or clinical characteristics before surgery. Compared to the PLA, the patients in the BI-DAA group had lower HGB drop (24.7 ± 13.3 g/L vs. 34.7 ± 16.7, P

Abstract Disuse osteoporosis is characterized by decreased bone mass caused by abnormal mechanical stimulation of bone. Piezo1 is a major mechanosensitive ion channel in bone homeostasis. However, whether intervening in the action of Piezo1 can rescue disuse osteoporosis remains unresolved. In this study, a commonly‐used hindlimb‐unloading model is employed to simulate microgravity. By single‐cell RNA sequencing, bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are the most downregulated cell cluster, and coincidentally, Piezo1 expression is mostly enriched in those cells, and is substantially downregulated by unloading. Importantly, activation of Piezo1 by systemically‐introducing yoda1 mimics the effects of mechanical stimulation and thus ameliorates bone loss under simulated microgravity. Mechanistically, Piezo1 activation promotes the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of Gli1+ BMSCs by activating the β‐catenin and its target gene activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4). Inhibiting β‐catenin expression substantially attenuates the effect of yoda1 on bone loss, possibly due to inhibited proliferation and osteogenic differentiation capability of Gli1+ BMSCs mediated by ATF4. Lastly, Piezo1 activation also slightly alleviates the osteoporosis of OVX and aged mice. In conclusion, impaired function of Piezo1 in BMSCs leads to insufficient bone formation especially caused by abnormal mechanical stimuli, and is thus a potential therapeutic target for osteoporosis.

ObjectiveCognitive frailty (CF) is characterized by physical frailty and potentially reversible cognitive impairment without Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Clarifying the prevalence and related factors of cognitive frailty can help researchers understand its epidemiological status and formulate intervention measures. This study aims to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence and related factors of CF in diabetic patients in Chinas to better understand the current status of CF in diabetic patients in China and develop effective intervention measures for related factors.MethodsPubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Weipu(VIP), WANFANG, China Biology Medicine (CBM) and DUXIU were searched to collect epidemiological data on Chinese diabetic patients. Articles published through May 29, 2023, were searched. The number of diabetes with CF and the total number of diabetes in the included studies were extracted to estimate the prevalence of diabetes with CF. For factors related to diabetes with CF, odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used for estimation.ResultsA total of 248 records were screened, of which 18 met the inclusion criteria. The results of meta-analysis showed that the prevalence of Chinese diabetic patients with CF was 25.8% (95% CI = 19.7 to 31.9%). Subgroup analysis showed that hospital prevalence was higher than in the community and in women than in men. Combined estimates showed that depression, malnutrition, advanced age (≥70, ≥80), combined chronic diseases ≥4 and glycated hemoglobin ≥8.5 were risk factors for CF in diabetics patients in China, with regular exercise and high education level (≥ college) as protective factors.ConclusionCognitive frailty was common in diabetic patients in China. Such populations should be screened early and intervened with relevant factors.Systematic review registration: A systematic review of this study evaluated the registered websites as https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, CRD42023431396.

The key challenges in aqueous zinc-manganese dioxide batteries (MnO2//Zn) are their poor electrochemical kinetics and stability, which are mainly due to low conductivity and the inevitable dissolution of MnO2. A synergistic combination of a Co-doped σ-MnO2 electrode (Co-MnO2) and a Co(CH3COO)2•4H2O (CoAc) electrolyte additive is here developed to design a high-performance aqueous MnO2//Zn battery (denoted as a Co-MnO2//Zn battery with CoAc). The introduction of Co ions (Co3+/Co2+) into the σ-MnO2 electrode is achieved via a facile one-step electrodeposition method. Benefitting from the synergistic coupling effect of the Co-MnO2 electrode and the CoAc electrolyte additive, the fabricated Co-MnO2//Zn battery with CoAc shows a commendable discharge capacity of 313.8 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A g−1, excellent rate performance, excellent durability over 1000 cycles (∼ 92% capacity retention at 1.0 A g−1) and admirable energy density (439.3 Wh kg−1), which is a significant improvement compared with an un-doped σ-MnO2//Zn battery.

The surface energy budget over the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) and the Arctic significantly influences the climate system with global consequences. The performances of 30 selected Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) models were evaluated based on six sites in the QTP and Arctic. The simulation results for latent heat flux (LE) were more accurate in the QTP, where the correlation coefficient and root mean square error (RMSE) were 0.9 and 30 W m−2, respectively. The results for sensible heat flux (H) were more accurate in the Arctic, the correlation coefficient and RMSE were 0.8 and 24 W m−2, respectively. Furthermore, the multiple models mean results revealed that the surface energy flux had seasonal variation and regional differences over the QTP and the Arctic. In the QTP, H was the lowest in winter, increased in spring, and reached the maximum in summer. However, the transitional changes in spring and autumn were not apparent in the Arctic, mainly due to seasonal net radiation difference between the two places. LE was affected by precipitation and surface soil moisture content. This work is important for understanding land-atmosphere interactions and useful for improving the accuracy of land surface models simulations.

Rubus corchorifolius (Shanmei or mountain berry, 2n = 14) is widely distributed in China, and its fruits possess high nutritional and medicinal values. Here, we reported a high-quality chromosome-scale genome assembly of Shanmei, with contig size of 215.69 Mb and 26,696 genes. Genome comparison among Rosaceae species showed that Shanmei and Fupenzi (Rubus chingii Hu) were most closely related, followed by blackberry (Rubus occidentalis), and that environmental adaptation-related genes were expanded in the Shanmei genome. Further resequencing of 101 samples of Shanmei collected from four regions in the provinces of Yunnan, Hunan, Jiangxi, and Sichuan in China revealed that among these samples, the Hunan population of Shanmei possessed the highest diversity and represented the more ancestral population. Moreover, the Yunnan population underwent strong selection based on the nucleotide diversity, linkage disequilibrium, and historical effective population size analyses. Furthermore, genes from candidate genomic regions that showed strong divergence were significantly enriched in the flavonoid biosynthesis and plant hormone signal transduction pathways, indicating the genetic basis of adaptation of Shanmei to the local environment. The high-quality assembled genome and the variome dataset of Shanmei provide valuable resources for breeding applications and for elucidating the genome evolution and ecological adaptation of Rubus species.

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a common mycotoxin, can contaminate food and feed and is difficult to remove. Astaxanthin (ASTA), a natural antioxidant, can effectively protect against OTA-induced hepatotoxicity; however, its mechanism of action remains unclear. In the present study, we elucidate the protective effects of ASTA on the OTA-induced damage of the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria in broiler liver samples by serum biochemical analysis, antioxidant analysis, qRT-PCR, and Western blot analysis. ASTA inhibited the expressions of ahr, pxr, car, cyp1a1, cyp1a5, cyp2c18, cyp2d6, and cyp3a9 genes, and significantly alleviated OTA-induced liver oxidative damage (SOD, GSH-Px, GSH, MDA). Furthermore, it inhibited OTA-activated endoplasmic reticulum stress genes and proteins (grp94, GRP78, atf4, ATF6, perk, eif2α, ire1, CHOP). ASTA alleviated OTA-induced mitochondrial dynamic imbalance, inhibited mitochondrial division (DRP1, mff), and promoted mitochondrial fusion (OPA1, MFN1, MFN2). In conclusion, ASTA can decrease OTA-induced oxidative damage, thereby alleviating endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial dynamic imbalance.

Zearalenone (ZEA) has adverse effects on human and animal health, and finding effective strategies to combat its toxicity is essential. The probiotic Bacillus velezensis A2 shows various beneficial physiological functions, including the potential to combat fungal toxins. However, the detailed mechanism by which the Bacillus velezensis A2 strain achieves this protective effect is not yet fully revealed. This experiment was based on transcriptome data to study the protective mechanism of Bacillus velezensis A2 against ZEA-induced damage to IPEC-J2 cells. The experiment was divided into CON, A2, ZEA, and A2+ZEA groups. This research used an oxidation kit to measure oxidative damage indicators, the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) method to detect cell apoptosis, flow cytometry to determine the cell cycle, and transcriptome sequencing to screen and identify differentially expressed genes. In addition, gene ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were adopted to screen out relevant signaling pathways. Finally, to determine whether A2 can alleviate the damage caused by ZEA to cells, the genes and proteins involved in inflammation, cell apoptosis, cell cycles, and related pathways were validated using a quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot methods. Compared with the CON group, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the ZEA group increased significantly (p < 0.01), while the levels of antioxidant enzyme activity, total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and catalase (CAT) decreased significantly (p < 0.01). Compared with the ZEA group, the A2+ZEA group showed a significant decrease in ROS and MDA levels (p < 0.01), while the levels of T-SOD, GSH-PX, T-AOC, and CAT increased significantly (p < 0.01). TUNEL and cell cycle results indicated that compared with the ZEA group, the A2+ZEA group demonstrated a significant decrease in the cell apoptosis rate (p < 0.01), and the cell cycle was restored. Combining transcriptome data, qRT-PCR, and Western blot, the results showed that compared with the CON group, the mRNA and protein expression levels of Wnt10 and β-catenin increased significantly (p < 0.01), while the expression level of FRZB decreased significantly (p < 0.01); compared with the ZEA group, the expression levels of these mRNA and proteins were reversed. Bacillus velezensis A2 can increase the antioxidant level, reduce inflammatory damage, decrease cell apoptosis, and correct the cell cycle when that damage is being caused by ZEA. The protective mechanism may be related to the regulation of the Wnt/FRZB cell/β-catenin signaling pathway.

The development and utilization of biomass energy based on the thermochemical conversion of crop biomass to produce hydrogen are of great significance for promoting China’s ecological civilization construction, energy revolution, and low-carbon economic development. Henan province is one of the largest agricultural and pasturage provinces in China. Based on the analysis of the status and trends of Henan's biomass energy (BE) development, this paper summarizes the present status of the construction of ecological civilization (CEC) and the factors restricting its development. Challenges in developing biomass energy are analyzed systematically, and strategies and key technical directions for future biomass energy development are discussed. Finally, the paper presents countermeasures and suggestions for CEC based on the development of BE, which will vigorously promote the development and utilization of BE and the process of CEC. This research provides a reference for the further development of BE and CEC in the future.

As a controllable biological process, regulated cell death (RCD) extensively participates in cellular homeostasis, organismal development, and the pathogenesis of diseases. This review addresses the research gaps by synthesising the findings on the complexity of RCD modes and their role in disc degeneration, and summarises the preclinical strategies to alleviate disc degeneration and promote disc repair by regulating RCD. Background: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is the major source of chronic low back pain. As a controllable biological process, regulated cell death (RCD) extensively participates in the pathogenesis of IDD. Nevertheless, the initiation and progression of RCD remain unclear, and more importantly, the interaction between different RCD modes during IDD and therapy is far from well understood. Methods: Literature search was performed using “regulated cell death AND intervertebral disc degeneration” in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Meanwhile, relevant findings have been reviewed and quoted. Results: In this review, we discuss the inducing factors of IDD, various modes of RCD in intervertebral disc, the interactions between different RCD modes, as well as the obstacles to achieve disc regeneration. Meanwhile, the research gaps and perspective in studies that targeting RCD are also presented. Conclusion: Increasing evidence demonstrated the presence of different RCD modes in intervertebral disc during the progression of IDD. RCD in the resident disc cells is probably induced by the multiple factors such as abnormal mechanical loading, nutritional imbalance, inflammation microenvironment, circadian rhythm changes, withdraw of hormones, and other biomechanical factors. A better understanding of the fundamental mechanisms and the interactions between different RCD modes might contribute to the rescuing of disc degeneration and development of promising therapeutics. Translational potential statement: The Translational potential of this article. This review aims to demonstrate a better understanding of the fundamental mechanisms governing RCD, which might contribute to the rescuing of disc degeneration and to the development of promising therapeutics in a clinical setting.

Abstract Purpose Primary hemiarthroplasty is gaining popularity for the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures in geriatric patients with severe osteoporosis. This study evaluated early clinical and radiographic outcomes by using a bone-conserving revision stem for unstable intertrochanteric fractures in the geriatric osteoporotic population. Methods A retrospective study involving 31 patients with unstable intertrochanteric fractures was conducted. The patients were aged 82.1 years on average. All patients underwent primary hemiarthroplasty using bone-conserving, fully porous-coated revision stem. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, length of hospitalization, and need for blood transfusion were noted during the hospital stay. Postoperative complications, including dislocations, deep venous thrombosis, infections, peri-prosthetic fractures, and frontal thigh pain were also recorded. Koval's category was used to quantify activity level, and Harris hip score (HHS) was used for functional assessment. Radiographic outcomes, including osteolysis, bone ingrowth, subsidence of the femoral component, lower limb length discrepancy, and heterotopic ossification, were collected at each follow-up. Results The 31 patients were followed for an average time of 23 months postoperatively. The average operative time lasted for 74.2 min, while the mean intraoperative blood loss was 200.1 ml, with an average hemoglobin decrease of 11.1 g/L after the procedure. The mean visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain dropped from 7.4 preoperatively to 2.4 at the 4-week follow-up. At the latest follow-up, the mean Harris hip score was 82.1, and the VAS was 1.7. No intraoperative or postoperative peri-prosthetic fractures were noted. Postoperative complications included one case of thrombosis formation in the posterior tibial vein and one case of congestive heart failure. Both patients were discharged uneventfully after treatment. Radiographically, none of the hips had evidence of stem loosening or osteolysis. Within the follow-up period of 23 months, the mortality rate was 3.2% (1/31), and no revision surgeries were required. Conclusion Primary hemiarthroplasty using a bone-conserving, cementless revision stem could serve as a reliable alternative for the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures in the geriatric population with osteoporosis.

Steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a common and devastating bone disorder, which often results in progressive collapse of the femoral head and subsequent osteoarthritis. The proliferation ability and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) play critical roles in maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the femoral head to prevent ONFH. Until now, little has been known about the underlying mechanism of BMSCs differentiation disorder during ONFH progression. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are considered to be vital non-coding RNAs functionally involved in various human diseases. However, whether and how circRNA regulates the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs in ONFH remain unclear. In this study, we analyzed the circRNA expression profile of five samples of BMSCs in ONFH and five samples of control by using circRNA microarray assays. We identified 182 differentially expressed circRNAs, among which 108 circRNAs were upregulated. We further investigated the effects of a significantly upregulated circRNA, circHGF, on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs in vitro. Results showed that circHGF suppressed the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs in ONFH by targeting miR-25-3p/SMAD7 axis. Our findings provided a potential diagnostic and therapeutic strategy for ONFH.

Abstract Mycotoxins can cause body poisoning and induce carcinogenesis, often with a high mortality rate. Therefore, it is of great significance to seek new targets that indicate mycotoxin activity and to diagnose and intervene in mycotoxin-induced diseases in their early stages. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are physiological regulators whose dysregulation is closely related to the development of diseases. They are thus important markers for the occurrence and development of diseases. In this review, consideration is given to the toxicological mechanisms associated with four major mycotoxins (ochratoxin A, aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol, and zearalenone). The roles that miRNAs play in these mechanisms and the interactions between them and their target genes are explained, and summarize the important role of histone modifications in their toxicity. As a result, the ways that miRNAs are regulated in the pathogenicity signaling pathways are revealed which highlights the roles played by miRNAs in preventing and controlling the harmful effects of the mycotoxins. It is hoped that this review will provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of the damage caused by these mycotoxins.

Objective This retrospective case‐control study aimed to evaluate and compare the clinical outcomes of full‐endoscopic visualized foraminoplasty and discectomy (FEVFD) with microdiscectomy (MD) for lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Methods Data from 198 patients who presented with LDH between January 2016 and December 2017 treated by either FEVFD or MD were retrospectively analyzed. The inclusion criteria were single‐level LDH, unilateral radiating leg pain with or without positive Lasegue's sign, and failure of standard conservative treatment for at least 12 weeks. The patients were categorized into an FEVFD group (n = 102) or an MD group (n = 96), according to the surgical procedure performed. Operative time, time in bed after surgery, postoperative hospitalization time, complications, and reoperations were recorded. Visual analog scales (VAS) for leg and back pain, Oswestry Disability index (ODI), 36‐Item Short‐Form Health Survey physical function (SF36‐PF), and bodily pain (SF36‐BP) scores were assessed and compared between the two groups. Results The demographic data and baseline characteristics of the two groups were not significantly different. Operative time for the FEVFD group (73.82 ± 20.73 min) was longer than that for the MD group (64.74 ± 17.37 min) (P = 0.003), and fluoroscopy time for the FEVFD group (1.71 ± 0.58s) was longer than that for the MD group (1.30 ± 0.33s) (P

Abstract In this study, a basic organic Rankine cycle (ORC) is introduced in an air separation process for waste heat recovery. Conventional and advanced exergy analyses are adopted to investigate the thermodynamic properties of components in the ORC. A comprehensive thermodynamic model is constructed to improve the advanced exergy analysis in the ORC, thereby encompassing real, theoretical, unavoidable, and hybrid cycles. Nine organic working fluids are introduced to investigate the influence on the ORC performance. (1) The conventional exergy analysis reveals the following: (a) The expander constantly demonstrates the maximum exergy efficiency except when R227ea is used. (b) The evaporator constantly exhibits the maximum exergy destruction regardless of the working fluid used. (c) The maximum product exergy is obtained when R114 is used. (d) Key components must focus on the condenser and evaporator to improve the ORC performance. (2) The advanced exergy analysis reveals that the expander demonstrates maximum potential for improvement because its endogenous avoidable exergy destruction accounts for approximately 90% of its real exergy destruction for all working fluids. The expander must be improved to achieve the optimal ORC performance. The advanced exergy analysis can distinguish the source of exergy destruction and the magnitude for possible improvement via the proposed thermodynamic model in this study. The comprehensive thermodynamic model can promote the investigation of the advanced exergy analysis in the ORC. Applying conventional and advanced exergy analyses to investigate the thermodynamic performance of a system or its components is highly recommended.

BackgroundPrimary mucinous lung adenocarcinoma, a subtype of lung adenocarcinoma, is extremely rare. Currently, as there are no specific diagnostic features, it is easy to delay the diagnosis or even to misdiagnose when atypical symptoms are present.Case summaryThis case details a patient with primary mucinous lung adenocarcinoma and metastasis to the femoral head. The sole symptom was left hip pain and the initial diagnosis was isolated femoral head necrosis.ConclusionsBy presenting this rare case report and the experiences learned from it, we hope to assist clinicians to identify bone metastasis cases with non-typical symptoms in order to make the correct diagnosis as soon as possible.

The genetic basis of low-temperature tolerance in maize is unclear. Here, the authors show that the type-A Response Regulator 1 (ZmRR1) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MPK8) are positive and negative regulators of maize chilling tolerance, and ZmRR1 is phosphorylated by ZmMPK8 during cold treatment.

Strange stars ought to exist in the universe according to the strange quark matter hypothesis, which states that matter made of roughly equal numbers of up, down, and strange quarks could be the true ground state of baryonic matter rather than ordinary atomic nuclei. Theoretical models of strange quark matter, such as the standard MIT bag model, the density-dependent quark mass model, or the quasi-particle model, however, appear to be unable to reproduce some of the properties (masses, radii, and tidal deformabilities) of recently observed compact stars. This is different if alternative gravity theory (e.g., non-Newtonian gravity) or dark matter (e.g., mirror dark matter) are considered, which resolve these issues. The possible existence of strange stars could thus provide a clue to new physics, as discussed in this review.

Sugars Will Eventually be Exported Transporter (SWEET) gene family plays indispensable roles in plant physiological activities, development processes, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, but no information is known for roses. In this study, a total of 25 RcSWEET genes were identified in Rosa chinensis ‘Old Blush’ by genome-wide analysis and clustered into four subgroups based on their phylogenetic relationships. The genomic features, including gene structures, conserved motifs, and gene duplication among the chromosomes of RcSWEET genes, were characterized. Seventeen types of cis-acting elements among the RcSWEET genes were predicted to exhibit their potential regulatory roles during biotic and abiotic stress and hormone responses. Tissue-specific and cold-response expression profiles based on transcriptome data showed that SWEETs play widely varying roles in development and stress tolerance in two rose species. Moreover, the different expression patterns of cold-response SWEET genes were verified by qRT-PCR between the moderately cold-resistant species R. chinensis ‘Old Blush’ and the extremely cold-resistant species R. beggeriana. Especially, SWEET2a and SWEET10c exhibited species differences after cold treatment and were sharply upregulated in the leaves of R. beggeriana but not R. chinensis ‘Old Blush’, indicating that these two genes may be the crucial candidates that participate in cold tolerance in R. beggeriana. Our results provide the foundation for function analysis of the SWEET gene family in roses, and will contribute to the breeding of cold-tolerant varieties of roses.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), ochratoxin A (OTA), and deoxynivalenol (DON) are the three mycotoxins that have received the most scholarly attention and have been tested most routinely in clinics. These mycotoxins not only suppress immune responses but also induce inflammation and even increase susceptibility to pathogens. Here, we comprehensively reviewed the determining factors for the bidirectional immunotoxicity of the three mycotoxins, their effects on pathogens, and their action mechanisms. The determining factors include mycotoxin exposure doses and times, as well as species, sex, and some immunologic stimulants. Moreover, mycotoxin exposure can affect the infection severity of some pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Their specific action mechanisms include three aspects: (1) mycotoxin exposure directly promotes the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms; (2) mycotoxins produce toxicity, destroy the integrity of the mucosal barrier, and promote inflammatory response, thereby improving the susceptibility of the host; (3) mycotoxins reduce the activity of some specific immune cells and induce immune suppression, resulting in reduced host resistance. The present review will provide a scientific basis for the control of these three mycotoxins and also provide a reference for research on the causes of increased subclinical infections.

Paphiopedilum (Orchidaceae) is one of the world’s most popular orchids that is found in tropical and subtropical forests and has an enormous ornamental value. SEPALLATA-like (SEP-like) MADS-box genes are responsible for floral organ specification. In this study, three SEP-like MADS-box genes, PhSEP1, PhSEP2, and PhSEP3, were identified in Paphiopedilum henryanum. These genes were 732–916 bp, with conserved SEPI and SEPII motifs. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that PhSEP genes were evolutionarily closer to the core eudicot SEP3 lineage, whereas none of them belonged to core eudicot SEP1/2/4 clades. PhSEP genes displayed non-ubiquitous expression, which was detectable across all floral organs at all developmental stages of the flower buds. Furthermore, subcellular localization experiments revealed the localization of PhSEP proteins in the nucleus. Yeast two-hybrid assays revealed no self-activation of PhSEPs. The protein–protein interactions revealed that PhSEPs possibly interact with B-class DEFICIENS-like and E-class MADS-box proteins. Our study suggests that the three SEP-like genes may play key roles in flower development in P. henryanum, which will improve our understanding of the roles of the SEP-like MADS-box gene family and provide crucial insights into the mechanisms underlying floral development in orchids.

BackgroundTotal hip arthroplasty (THA) causes a great medical burden globally, and the same-day discharge (SDD) method has previously been considered to be cost saving. However, a standard cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) is needed to evaluated the benefits of SDD when performing THA from the perspective of both economic and clinical outcomes.MethodsEighty-four participants undergoing primary THA were randomized to either the SDD group or the inpatient group. Outcomes were assessed by an independent orthopedist who was not in the surgical team, using the Oxford Hip Score (OHS), EuroQol 5D (EQ-5D), SF-36 scores and the quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). All the cost information was also collected.ResultsThe mean stay of patients in the SDD group was 21.70 ± 3.45 h, while the inpatient group was 78.15 ± 26.36 h. This trial did not detect any significant differences in OHS and QALYs. The total cost in the SDD group was significantly lower than that in the inpatient group (¥69,771.27 ± 6,608.00 vs. ¥80,666.17 ± 8,421.96, p < 0.001). From the perspective of total cost, when measuring OHS, the incremental effect was −0.12 and the incremental cost was –¥10,894.90. The mean incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was 90,790.83. When measuring QALYs, the incremental effect was 0.02, and the ICER was negative. Sensitivity analysis produced similar results.ConclusionsSDD has an acceptable likelihood of being more cost-effective than the traditional inpatient option. After conducting cost–utility analysis, SDD resulted in better QALYs, while significantly reducing the total cost.

Liaoyu white cattle (LYWC) is a local breed in Liaoning Province, China. It has the advantages of grow quickly, high slaughter ratew, high meat quality and strong anti-stress ability. N6 methyladenosine (m6A) is a methylation modification of N6 position of RNA adenine, which is an important modification mechanism affecting physiological phenomena. In this study, we used the longissimus dorsi muscle of LYWC and SIMC for m6A-seq and RNA-seq high-throughput sequencing, and identified the key genes involved in muscle growth and m6A modification development by bioinformatics analysis. There were 31532 m6A peaks in the whole genome of LYWC and 47217 m6A peaks in the whole genome of SIMC. Compared with Simmental cattle group, LYWC group had 17,351 differentially expressed genes: 10,697 genes were up-regulated, 6,654 genes were down regulated, 620 differentially expressed genes were significant, while 16,731 differentially expressed genes were not significant. Among the 620 significantly differentially expressed genes, 295 genes were up-regulated and 325 genes were down regulated. In order to explore the relationship between m6A and mRNA expression in the muscles of LYWC and SIMC, the combined analysis of MeRIP-seq and RNA-seq revealed that 316 genes were m6A modified with mRNA expression. To identify differentially methylated genes related to muscle growth, four related genes were selected for quantitative verification in LYWC and SIMC. GO enrichment and KEGG analysis showed that the differentially expressed genes modified by m6A are mainly involved in skeletal muscle contraction, steroid biosynthesis process, redox process, PPAR pathway and fatty acid metabolism, and galactose metabolism. These results provide a theoretical basis for further research on the role of m6A in muscle growth and development.

Rosa beggeriana ‘Aurea’ is a yellow-green leaf (yl) mutant and originated from Rosa beggeriana Schrenk by 60Co-γ irradiation, which is an important ornamental woody species. However, the molecular mechanism of the yl mutant remains unknown. Herein, comparative transcriptome profiling was performed between the yl type and normal green color type (WT) by RNA sequencing. A total of 3,372 significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, consisting of 1,585 upregulated genes and 1,787 downregulated genes. Genes that took part in metabolic of biological process (1,090), membrane of cellular component (728), catalytic (1,114), and binding of molecular function (840) were significantly different in transcription level. DEGs involved in chlorophyll biosynthesis, carotenoids biosynthesis, cutin, suberine, wax biosynthesis, photosynthesis, chloroplast development, photosynthesis-antenna proteins, photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII) components, CO2 fixation, ribosomal structure, and biogenesis related genes were downregulated. Meanwhile, linoleic acid metabolism, siroheme biosynthesis, and carbon source of pigments biosynthesis through methylerythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathways were upregulated. Moreover, a total of 147 putative transcription factors were signification different expression, involving NAC, WRKY, bHLH, MYB and AP2/ERF, C2H2, GRAS, and bZIP family gene. Our results showed that the disturbed pigments biosynthesis result in yl color by altering the ratio of chlorophylls and carotenoids in yl mutants. The yl mutants may evoke other metabolic pathways to compensate for the photodamage caused by the insufficient structure and function of chloroplasts, such as enhanced MEP pathways and linoleic acid metabolism against oxidative stress. This research can provide a reference for the application of leaf color mutants in the future.

The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) combined with radial basis function (RBF) method were adopted to obtain the response surface of the Muszynska nonlinear seal force model coefficient with two variables: eccentricity and rotation speed. During the implementation of the simulation, three coefficients of the seal force model were calculated in each sub-step according to the current state of the rotor-bearing seal system; following which the rotor dynamics analysis with varying parameters was realized. As with the traditional constant coefficient method, the first-order critical speed of the system was obtained, and the bifurcation point and oil film whirl of the system response were identified. The difference is that the coefficients of the traditional method ordinarily do not change with the state of the system. Comparing the results of the varying parameter method with those of the traditional method, it can be seen that the speeds of the system corresponding to the bifurcation and oil film whirl are different. The varying parameter rotor dynamics simulation method proposed in this paper provides a new way of analyzing the nonlinear characteristics of rotor-bearing-seal systems.

Soil hydrothermal dynamics are crucial processes for understanding the internal physical conditions of the active layer in permafrost regions. It is very difficult to obtain data in permafrost regions, especially on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP). Land surface modes (LSMs) provide an effective tool for soil hydrothermal dynamics. However, it is necessary to evaluate the simulation performance before using them. Here, we used two in situ sites along with the latest version of the Community Land Model (CLM5.0) to evaluate the simulated performance in the soil hydrothermal parameters of the model in permafrost regions on the QTP. Meanwhile, the effects of soil properties, thermal roughness length, and the freeze–thaw process on the simulation results were investigated. The results showed that CLM5.0 can capture the dynamic changes in soil hydrothermal changes well in permafrost regions on the QTP. Soil moisture and thermal conductivity were more sensitive to soil properties and the freeze–thaw process, while the thermal roughness length had a greater effect on soil temperature. Notably, although we improved the soil properties and thermal roughness length, there were still some errors, especially in the soil moisture and soil thermal conductivity. It may be caused by inappropriate hydrothermal parameterizations of the model, especially the soil thermal conductivity, hydraulic conductivity, unfrozen water scheme, and snow schemes. There is an urgent need for collaboration between experts in permafrost science, hydrological science, and modelers to develop the appropriate schemes for permafrost regions and enhance the LSMs.

The hydrothermal dynamics of the active layer is a key issue in the study of surface processes in permafrost regions. Even though the soil energy budget is controlled by thermal conduction and latent heat transfer, few studies have focused on their effects upon the active layer thickness (ALT). In the present study, the community land model (CLM) version 5.0 is used to simulate the soil temperature and moisture of the active layers at the Tanggula (TGL) and Beiluhe (BLH) stations in permafrost regions of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau based on the theory of soil enthalpy in order to estimate the soil energy state and analyze the energy changes in the active layer during freezing and thawing. The results indicate that the soil enthalpy has significant seasonal variation characteristics, which accurately reflected the freezing and thawing processes of the active layer. The change in soil enthalpy is significantly related to the thawing depth of the active layer in TGL and BLH, and its changing process can be expressed as an exponential relationship. Near the surface, the variation of the energy due to temperature gradient and actual evaporation can also be expressed as an exponential relationship. The promoting effect of heat conduction on the ALT is greater than the inhibiting effect of latent heat transfer, with the energy contribution from the phase change accounting for about 20–40% of the energy due to the temperature gradient. The thawing depth increases by 14.16–18.62 cm as the energy due to the temperature gradient increases by 1 MJ/m2 and decreases by 2.75–7.16 cm as the energy due to the phase change increases by 1 MJ/m2. Thus, the present study quantifies the effects of soil energy upon the ALT and facilitates an understanding of the hydrothermal processes in soils in permafrost regions.

Abstract Background The aim of the present study is to compare the clinical outcomes and postoperative complications of lumbar endoscopic unilateral laminotomy bilateral decompression (LE-ULBD) and minimally invasive surgery transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) to treat one-level lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) without degenerative spondylolisthesis or deformity. Methods A retrospective analysis of 112 consecutive patients of one-level LSS undergoing either LE-ULBD or MIS-TLIF was performed. Patient demographics, operation time, estimated blood loss, time to ambulation, length of hospitalization, intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. The visual analog scale (VAS) score for leg and back pain, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score, and the Macnab criteria were used to evaluate the clinical outcomes. The healthcare cost was also recorded. Results The operation time, estimated blood loss, time to ambulation and length of hospitalization of LE-ULBD group were shorter than MIS-TLIF group. The postoperative mean VAS and ODI scores decreased significantly in both groups. According to the modified Macnab criteria, the outcomes rated as excellent/good rate were 90.6 and 93.8% in the two groups. The mean VAS scores, ODI scores and outcomes of the modified Macnab criteria of both groups were of no significant difference. The healthcare cost of LE-ULBD group was lower than MIS-TLIF group. Two cases of intraoperative epineurium injury were observed in the LE-ULBD group. One case of cauda equina injury was observed in the LE-ULBD group. No nerve injury, dural injury or cauda equina syndrome was observed in MIS-TLIF group. However, one case with transient urinary retention, one case with pleural effusion, one case with incision infection and one case with implant dislodgement were observed in MIS-TLIF group. Conclusions Both LE-ULBD and MIS-TLIF are safe and effective to treat one-level LSS without degenerative spondylolisthesis or deformity. LE-ULBD is a more minimally invasive option and of less economic burden compared with MIS-TLIF. Decompression plus instrumented fusion may be not necessary for one-level LSS without degenerative spondylolisthesis or deformity.

Background/objectives: Accelerating the process of bone regeneration is of great interest for surgeons and basic scientists alike. Recently, umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) are considered clinically applicable for tissue regeneration due to their noninvasive harvesting and better viability. Nonetheless, the bone regenerative ability of human UCMSCs (HUCMSCs) is largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate whether Wnt10b-overexpressing HUCMSCs have enhanced bone regeneration ability in a rat model. Method: A rat calvarial defect was performed on 8-week old male Sprague Dawley rats. Commercially purchased HUCMSCsEmp in hydrogel, HUCMSCsWnt10b in hydrogel and HUCMSCsWnt10b with IWR-1 were placed in the calvarial bone defect right after surgery on rats (N = 8 rats for each group). Calvaria were harvested for micro-CT analysis and histology four weeks after surgery. CFU-F and multi-differentiation assay by oil red staining, alizarin red staining and RT-PCR (real-time polymerase chain reaction) were performed on HUCMSCsEmp and HUCMSCsWnt10b in vitro. Conditioned media from HUCMSCsEmp and HUCMSCsWnt10b were collected and used to treat human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells in Matrigel to access vessel formation capacity by tube formation assay. Results: Alizarin red staining, oil red staining and RT-PCR results showed robust osteogenic differentiation but poor adipogenic differentiation ability of HUCMSCsWnt10b. Furthermore, HUCMSCsWnt10b could accelerate bone defect healing, which was likely due to enhanced angiogenesis after the HUCMSCsWnt10b treatment, because more CD31+ vessels and increased vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) expression were observed, compared with the HUCMSCsEmp treatment. Conditioned media from HUCMSCsWnt10b also induced endothelial cells to form vessel tubes in a tube formation assay, which could be abolished by SU5416, an angiogenesis inhibitor. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study providing empirical evidence that HUCMSCsWnt10b can enhance their ability to heal calvarial bone defects via VEGF-mediated angiogenesis. The translational potential of this article: HUCMSCsWnt10b can accelerate critical size calvaria and are a new promising therapeutic cell source for fracture nonunion healing.

Background/objectives: Articular cartilage erosion probably plays a substantial role in osteoarthritis (OA) initiation and development. Studies demonstrated that umbilical cord–derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) could delay chondrocytes apoptosis and ameliorate OA progression in patients, but the detailed mechanisms are largely uncharacterised. In this study, we aimed to study the effects of UCMSCs on monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)–induced rat OA model, and explore the cellular mechanism of this effect. Methods: Intra-articular injection of 0.3 ​mg MIA in 50 ​μL saline was performed on the left knee of the 200 ​g weight male Sprague-Dawley rat to induce rat knee OA. A single dose of 2.5 ​× ​105 undifferentiated UCMSCs one day after MIA or three-time intra-articular injection of 2.5 ​× ​105 UCMSCs on Days 1, 7 ​and 14 were given, respectively. Four weeks after MIA, joints were harvested and processed for paraffin sections. Safranine-O staining, haematoxylin and eosin staining ​and immunohistochemistry of MMP-13, ADAMTS-5, Col-2, CD68 ​and CD4 were performed to observe cartilage erosion and synovium. For in vitro ​studies, migration ability of cartilage superficial layer cells (SFCs) by UCMSCs were accessed by transwell assay. Furthermore, catabolism change of MIA-induced SFCs by UCMSCs was performed by real-rime polymerase chain reaction of Col-X and BCL-2 genes. CCK-8 assay was performed to check proliferation ability of SFCs by UCMSCs-conditioned media. Result: In this study, we locally injected human UCMSCs, which is highly proliferative and noninvasively collectible, into MIA-induced rat knee OA. An important finding is on obviously ameliorated cartilage erosion and decreased OA Mankin score by repeated UCMSCs injection after MIA injection compared with single injection, both of which attenuated OA progression compared with vehicle. Interestingly, we observed significantly increased number of SFCs on the articular cartilage surface, probably related to elevated proliferation, mobilisation and inhibited catabolism marker: Col-X and BCL-2 gene expression of cultured SFCs by UCMSCs-conditioned media treatment in vitro. In addition to the change of unique SFCs, catabolism markers of ADAMTS-5 and MMP-13 were substantially upregulated in the whole cartilage layer chondrocytes as well. Strikingly, MIA-induced inflammatory cells infiltration, on both CD4+ Th cells and CD68+ macrophages, and hyperplasia of the synovium, which was alleviated by repeated UCMSCs injection. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated a critical role of repeated UCMSCs dosing on preserving SFCs function, cartilage structure and inhibiting synovitis during OA progression, and thus provided mechanistic proof of evidence for the use of UCMSCs on OA patients in the future. The translational potential of this article: UCMSCs are a relatively “young” stem cell, and noninvasively collectible. In our study, we clearly demonstrated that it could effectively delay OA progression, possibly through reserving SFCs function and inhibiting synovitis. Therefore, it could be a new promising therapeutic cell source for OA after further clinical trials.

Attribute-based keyword search (ABKS), as an important type of searchable encryption, has been widely utilized for secure cloud storage. In a key-policy attribute-based temporary keyword search (KP-ABTKS) scheme, a private key is associated with an access policy that controls the search ability of the user, while a search token is associated with a time interval that controls the search time of the cloud server. However, after a careful study, we uncover that the only existing KP-ABTKS construction [1] is not secure. Through two carefully designed attacks, we first show that the cloud server can search the ciphertext in any time. As a result, their scheme cannot support temporary keyword search. To address this problem, we present an enhanced KP-ABTKS scheme and prove that it is selectively secure against chosen-keyword attack in the random oracle model. The proposed scheme achieves both fine-grained search control and temporary keyword search simultaneously. In addition, the performance evaluation indicates that our scheme is practical.

Invasive group B Streptococcus (GBS) remains a leading cause of illness and death among infants globally. We conducted prospective and retrospective laboratory-based surveillance of GBS-positive cultures from infants

The performance of a vane diffuser plays an important role in transforming the high kinetic energy into pressure energy at the impeller outlet of a centrifugal compressor. In this study, the performance enhancement of a centrifugal compressor is achieved by designing a tandem cascade diffuser. An optimum value of the total bending angle of a tandem cascade diffuser is obtained through numerical simulation. The total bending angle is defined as the angle between the tangent line of the front blade arc line at the leading edge point and the tangent line of the rear blade arc line at the trailing edge point. The range of the total bending angle increases from zero to 21°. The simulation results show that the variation of the total bending angle has a great impact on the performances of the compressor stage. The best performance is achieved by the 10° model, by which the minimum total pressure loss coefficient and the maximum static pressure recovery coefficient are obtained. The mechanism of performance improvement by choosing a reasonable total bending angle is that the separated flow zone in the diffuser is constrained and the distribution of radial velocity at the inlet and outlet of the diffuser is more uniformed. With the 10° model, the separated zone almost completely disappears in the diffuser and a distribution of more uniform radial velocity along the meridional section is obtained. Compared with the stage of the prototype with a single row of vane diffuser, the stage with the newly designed tandem vane diffuser (10° model) achieved performance improvement, the efficiency increased about 6%, and the total pressure ratio increased about 3.5% at the flow coefficient of 0.15.

Abstract Background Junction tuberculous spondylitis involves the stress transition zone of the spine and has a high risk of progression to kyphosis or paraplegia. Problems still exist with treatment for spinal junction tuberculosis. This study investigated the surgical approach and clinical outcomes of junction spinal tuberculosis. Methods From June 1998 to July 2014, 77 patients with tuberculous spondylitis were enrolled. All patients received 2–3 weeks of anti-tuberculous treatment preoperatively; treatment was prolonged for 2–3 months when active pulmonary tuberculosis was present. The patients underwent anterior debridement and were followed up for an average of 29.4 months clinically and radiologically. Results The cervicothoracic junction spine (C7-T3) was involved in 15 patients. The thoracolumbar junction spine (T11-L2) was involved in 39 patients. The lumbosacral junction spine (L4-S1) was involved in 23 patients. Two patients with recurrence underwent reoperation; the drugs were adjusted, and all patients achieved bone fusion. The preoperative cervicothoracic and thoracolumbar kyphosis angle and lumbosacral angle were 31.4 ± 10.9°, 32.9 ± 9.2°, and 19.3 ± 3.7°, respectively, and the corresponding postoperative angles were ameliorated significantly to 9.1 ± 3.2°, 8.5 ± 2.9°, and 30.3 ± 2.8°. The preoperative ESR and C-reactive protein level of all patients were 48.1 ± 11.3 mm/h and 65.5 ± 16.2 mg/L which decreased to 12.3 ± 4.3 mm/h and 8.6 ± 3.7 mg/L at the final follow-up, respectively. All patients that had neurological symptoms achieved function status improvement at different degrees. Conclusion For spinal tuberculosis of spinal junctions, anterior debridement, internal fixation, and fusion can be preferred and achieved. If multiple segment lesions are too long or difficult for operation of anterior internal fixation, combining posterior pedicle screw fixation is appropriate.

Abstract Background Severe post-tubercular kyphosis with late-onset neurological deficits is difficult to treat, with high risk of neurological complications. This study retrospectively evaluates the efficacy and safety of posterior vertebral column resection (PVCR) for treating severe post-tubercular kyphosis with late-onset neurological deficits. Methods From January 2012 to December 2015, 13 patients with severe post-tubercular kyphosis underwent PVCR. All these patients were of late-onset neurological deficits. The operative time, blood loss, preoperative and postoperative kyphotic angles, sagittal vertical axis (SVA), neurological status, and complications were recorded. The preoperative and postoperative Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores and visual analog scale (VAS) scores for back pain were compared. The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading system was used to evaluate neurological function. Results The mean postoperative follow-up period was 28.6 months. The mean operative time was 388 ± 46 min. The mean blood loss was 2554 ± 1459 ml. The mean preoperative and postoperative kyphotic angles were 93.7 ± 14.4° and 31.7 ± 7.3°, respectively, with a mean correction of 62.0 ± 13.8°. The mean preoperative and postoperative SVA were 43.2 ± 44.4 mm and 17.8 ± 16.2 mm, respectively. The mean ODI score improved from 56.3 ± 5.1 preoperatively to 18.3 ± 18.5 at last follow-up. The mean VAS score improved from 6.4 ± 1.8 preoperatively to 1.8 ± 0.8 at last follow-up. Two cases had spinal cord injuries, including one complete paraplegia and one incomplete paraplegia, and a total neurological complication rate of 15.4%. The risk factors for neurological complications were summarized. Conclusions Severe post-tubercular kyphosis with late-onset neurological deficits can be corrected by PVCR carefully and properly to prevent neurological complications. In many cases with stenosis adjacent to the angular kyphosis, sufficient decompression of the spinal cord at the segments with stenosis is necessary before correcting the kyphosis.

Bupivacaine is frequently administered for diagnosing and controlling spine-related pain in interventional spine procedures. However, the potential cytotoxic effects of bupivacaine on intervertebral disc (IVD) cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms have not yet been fully established. Here, we showed that bupivacaine decreased the viability of rabbit IVD cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Moreover, the short-term cytotoxicity of bupivacaine in IVD cells was primarily due to cell necrosis, as assessed by Annexin V-propidium iodide staining and live/dead cell staining. Necrosis was verified by observations of swollen organelles, plasma membrane rupture, and cellular lysis under transmission electronic microscopy. Interestingly, our data indicated that bupivacaine-induced primary necrosis might involve the necroptosis pathway. The key finding of this study was that bupivacaine was able to induce lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) with the release of cathepsins into the cytosol, as evidenced by LysoTracker Red staining, acridine orange staining, and cathepsin D immunofluorescence staining. Consistently, inhibitors of lysosomal cathepsins, CA074-Me and pepstatin A, significantly reduced bupivacaine-induced cell death. Finally, we found that bupivacaine resulted in an increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and that inhibition of ROS by N-acetyl-L-cysteine effectively blocked bupivacaine-induced LMP and cell death. In summary, the results of this in vitro study reveal a novel mechanism underlying bupivacaine-induced cell death involving ROS-mediated LMP. Our findings establish a basis for the further investigation of bupivacaine cytotoxicity in an in vivo system. Keywords: Intervertebral disc, Bupivacaine, Necrosis, ROS, LMP

ObjectivePrecise hip cup positioning is essential for the prevention of component impingement and dislocation in robotic assisted total hip arthroplasty (THA). Currently, the robotic system uses a mechanical alignment guide (MAG) for cup placement, which is one-size-fits-all, and the optimal cup positioning is controversial. Robotic assisted THA has not used any personalized cup positioning guides. The goal of this study was to identify an optimal guide for cup placement in robotic assisted THA to improve prognosis and life quality after THA.Materials and MethodsPelvis and femoral CT data of 47 participants were retrospectively collected for preoperative planning of robotic THA. The universal MAG guide and three personalized guides, including acetabular rim labrum guide (ARLG), transverse acetabular ligament guide (TALG), and ischiatic-pubis line guide (IPLG), were used to pose cups in the acetabulum of each participant. The position of cups was evaluated by inclination and anteversion; the function of hip joints was evaluated by hip ranges of motion, including abduction, adduction, extension, flexion, internal rotation, and external rotation.ResultsIn terms of cup positioning, ARLG provided a bigger cup inclination (p < 0.0001), while IPLG and TALG provided smaller cup inclination (p < 0.001) than MAG; the three personalized guides provided larger cup anteversion (p < 0.0001) than MAG. In terms of HROMs, compared with the use of MAG, the use of three personalized guides significantly decreased abduction (p < 0.0001), extension (p < 0.0001), and external rotation (p < 0.0001), but increased significantly flexion (p < 0.0001) and internal rotation (p < 0.0001); the use of ARLG significantly reduced adduction (p < 0.0001), but the use of IPLG and TALG increased adduction (p < 0.0001).ConclusionCompared with MAG, personalized guides provided greater flexion and internal rotation, which may reduce the risk of posterior dislocation. Among the three personalized guides, IPLG is the most reliable one for the preoperative planning of robotic assisted THA.

Supercapacitors (SCs) have attracted widespread attention due to their short charging/discharging time, long cycle life, and good temperature characteristics. Electrolytes have been considered as a key factor affecting the performance of SCs. They largely determine the energy density based on their decomposition voltage and the power density from their ionic conductivity. In recent years, redox electrolytes obtained a growing interest due to an additional redox activity from electrolytes, which offers an increased charge storage capacity in SCs. This article summarizes the latest progress in the research of redox electrolytes, and focuses on their properties, mechanisms, and applications based on different solvent types available. It also proposes potential solutions for how to effectively increase the energy density of the SCs while maintaining their high power and long life.

Background/Aims: Glucocorticoid (GC)-related osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a common complication following administration of steroids to treat many diseases. Our previous study demonstrated that icariin (ICA) might have a beneficial effect on the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) of patients with steroid-associated osteonecrosis. In this study, we investigated the underlying mechanisms of ICA associated with the potential enhancement of osteogenesis and anti-adipogenesis in GC-related ONFH. Methods: In vitro cell proliferation was evaluated by CCK-8 assay. Alizarin red S and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were used to measure osteogenic differentiation, while adipogenic differentiation was revealed by oil red O staining and TG content assay. The expression level of osteogenesis-associated genes and PPARγ was evaluated by RT-qPCR, western blotting and immunofluorescence. A total of 30 female SD rats were randomly separated into three groups: a control group, a methylprednisolone (MPS) group and a MPS + ICA group. Serum ALP and TG (triglyceride), micro-CT scanning, histological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed in the animal model. Results: In the in vitro study, ICA promoted proliferation, improved osteogenic differentiation and suppressed adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs treated with MPS. The group treated with MPS and 10-6 M ICA expressed higher levels of Runx2, ALP, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 2, and OC and lower expression of PPARγ than the MPS group. In the in vivo study, ICA prevented bone loss in a rat model of GC-related ONFH as shown by micro-CT scanning, histological and immunohistochemical analyses. Conclusions: ICA is an effective compound for promoting bone repair and preventing or delaying the progression of GC-associated ONFH in rats. This effect can be explained by its ability to improve the balance between adipogenesis and osteogenesis, indicating that ICA is an effective candidate for management of GC-associated ONFH.