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Compared to conventional Ba 0.5 Sr 0.5 Co 0.8 Fe 0.2 O 3-δ (BSCF) and La 0.6 Sr 0.4 Co 0.2 Fe 0.8 O 3-δ (LSCF), BaCo 0.4 Fe 0.4 Zr 0.1 Y 0.1 O 3-δ (BCFZY) with special surface species and structure can exhibit a distinctive compromise between the redox activity and cell stability. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) and infrared spectrum (IR) results suggest that besides the oxygen species of BSCF and LSCF, the OH-related species can be detected on BCFZY, which can play a promoting role in oxygen catalysis activity. The O2− -conducting solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with BCFZY cathode shows the superior power densities at intermediate temperatures (750-650 °C), which are 1.2–1.6 times than those of BSCF cell, and 1.8–2.1 times than those of LSCF cell. Distribution of relaxation times (DRT) analysis on three symmetric cells and three single cells reveal that BCFZY cathode shows superior oxygen adsorption and dissociation, which can be ascribed to the peculiar OH-related species and multiscale structure on the surface. The cell with BCFZY cathode can remain the stable performance during the discharge testing at 650 °C for 240 h, indicating a reliable surface state to promote both oxygen catalysis activity as well as the performance stability for O2− -conducting SOFC. • BCFZY demonstrates considerable activity vs BSCF and LSCF on O2--conducting SOFC. • BCFZY cell achieves high power density (1.99–1.40 W cm−2) at 750-650 °C. • BCFZY cathode exhibits superior oxygen exchange processes on surface. • The special surface state of BCFZY cathode improves O 2 catalysis and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between juvenile Acipenser sinensis density and the eDNA content in a controlled laboratory aquarium environment. The results obtained from fluorescent quantitative PCR indicated an overall increasing trend in the eDNA content, which tended to stabilize after three days. Furthermore, a significant positive linear correlation was observed between the density of juvenile A. sinensis and eDNA content at different time points (R2 = 0.768~0.986). When the juvenile A. sinensis were removed at a density of 0.114 ind./L, there was a negative correlation between eDNA content and time. Based on AIC and BIC analyses, a power function model was employed to illustrate the degradation relationship between eDNA content and time. Since the construction of the Gezhouba Dam, Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) numbers have gradually declined, rendering this species critically endangered according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Environmental DNA (eDNA) technology plays an important role in monitoring the abundance of aquatic organisms. Species density and biomass have been proven to be estimable by researchers, but the level of accuracy depends on the specific species and ecosystem. In this study, juvenile A. sinensis, an endangered fish, were selected as the research target. Under controlled laboratory conditions in an aquarium, one, two, four, six, and eight juvenile A. sinensis were cultured in five fish tanks, respectively. Water samples were filtered at eight different time points for eDNA content analysis. Additionally, eDNA yield was tested at six different time points after a 0.114 ind./L density of A. sinensis was removed, and the employed degradation model was screened using the Akaike information criterion (AIC) and the Bayesian information criterion (BIC). The results showed that eDNA content remained stable after 3 days and exhibited a significant positive linear correlation with the density of A. sinensis (R2 = 0.768~0.986). Furthermore, eDNA content was negatively correlated with the 3-day period after the removal of A. sinensis. The power function had the smallest AIC and BIC values, indicating better fitting performance. This study lays a momentous foundation for the application of eDNA for monitoring juvenile A. sinensis in the Yangtze Estuary and reveals the applicability of eDNA as a useful tool for assessing fish density/biomass in natural environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stability problem of stochastic networks with proportional delays and unsupervised Hebbian-type learning algorithms is studied. Applying the Lyapunov functional method, a stochastic analysis technique and the It o ^ formula, we obtain some sufficient conditions for global asymptotic stability. We also discuss the estimation of the second moment. The correctness of the main results is verified by two numerical examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel pyrazolone-based copper complex [Cu(L)(bpy)]∙CH3OH (P-FAH-Cu-bpy) was synthesized and previously characterized to have antitumor properties. This study aimed to investigate its antibacterial properties and action modes against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. By agar diffusion assay, P-FAH-Cu-bpy showed strong antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus with the diameter of inhibition zone of 10.17–12.50 mm and 11.83–14 mm, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the complex were 1.5 and 3 μM, respectively. Destroyed bacteria cells and debris were clearly observed by SEM. At 2 MIC and 4 MIC of P-FAH-Cu-bpy, 1.1683 and 1.9083 pg copper per cell was taken by E. coli, and 4.5670 and 8.5250 pg per cell by S. aureus, respectively. Multi-step resistance selection showed both bacteria were sensitive to P-FAH-Cu-bpy without induction of resistance within 30 generations. With P-FAH-Cu-bpy treatment, the release of nucleotides and proteins and alkaline phosphatase was increased, but the activity of K+-Na+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase and membrane conductivity were decreased in both pathogens. In conclusion, P-FAH-Cu-bpy induced death of both bacteria by destroying the cell membrane structure and blocking energy and exhibited strong antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus without inducing microbial resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our goal in this work was to investigate the possible role and mechanism of regulated in development and DNA damage response 1 (REDD1) in mediating high glucose (HG)-induced podocyte injury in vitro. Mouse podocytes were stimulated with HG to establish HG injury model. Protein expression was examined by Western blotting. Cell viability was measured by cell counting kit-8 assay. Cell apoptosis was assessed by annexin V‐FITC/propidium iodide and TUNEL apoptotic assays. Levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were quantified by commercial kits. Concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β were measured by ELISA. A marked increase in REDD1 expression was observed in podocytes stimulated with HG. Reduced REDD1 expression strikingly restrained HG-induced increases in apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation response in cultured podocytes. Decreasing REDD1 expression enhanced nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation in HG-exposed podocytes via regulation of the AKT/glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β) pathway. Inhibition of AKT or reactivation of GSK-3β prominently abolished Nrf2 activation induced by decreasing REDD1 expression. Pharmacological repression of Nrf2 markedly reversed the protective effects of decreasing REDD1 expression in HG-injured podocytes. Our data demonstrate that decreasing REDD1 expression protects cultured podocytes from HG-induced injuries by potentiating Nrf2 signaling through regulation of the AKT/GSK-3β pathway. Our work underscores the potential role of REDD1-mediated podocyte injury during the development of diabetic kidney disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Mental illness is a growing public concern, particularly for persons in higher education. This research aims to distinguish mental health and stigma experiences between three academic communities: undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty members. Methods: The researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with nineteen individuals who self-identified as a member of one or more of these groups. Findings and discussion: Participants reported experiencing a variety of mental health conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress), and described having diverse cognitive, affective, and behavioral responses to internally and externally derived stigma. The findings of this study also provide insights into the ways that academic communities observe and interpret on-campus communication about mental health, and participants offered impressions about ways to improve intervention and awareness messaging. Implications of the findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promoting professional development of in-service language teachers is key to maintaining education quality. However, extant studies on test-based continuing professional development (CPD) for teachers do not emphasise primary school contexts in China, leading to difficulties in the professional development of this teacher group. Therefore, this paper reports the influences of CPD, based on the Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT) programme for in-service primary school English teachers in China, particularly concerning dynamic changes in their professional beliefs and self-efficacy due to participation in the programme. In this study, 42 English teachers were recruited from 15 primary schools to participate in the CPD programme. Through focus groups and teachers' journals, the findings showed that the teachers experienced complex transformations in their professional beliefs and self-efficacy, and revealed some influential factors of the change. This paper provides suggestions to optimise CPD programmes and facilitate long-term professional development for teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iterative differential equations provide a new idea to study functional differential equations. The study of iterative equations can provide new methods for the study of differential equations with state-dependent delays. In this paper, we are concerned with proving the existence of infinitely many positive solutions to nonlinear first-order iterative systems of singular BVPs on time scales by using Krasnoselskii's cone fixed point theorem in a Banach space. It is worth pointing out that in this paper, we can use the symmetry of the iterative process and Green's function to transform the considered differential equation into an equivalent integral equation, which plays a key role in the proof of the theorem in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of vacuum electronic devices toward high power, high frequency, and miniaturization, the voltage holdoff capacity of the insulation materials in devices has also been raised to a higher demand. Cr/Mn/Ti-doped Al2O3 ceramics were prepared, and the bulk density, micromorphology, phase composition, resistivity, secondary electron emission coefficient, and surface flashover threshold in the vacuum of the Al2O3 were characterized. The results show that the addition of TiO2 to the Al2O3 ceramic can promote the sintering of the ceramic. The Cr/Mn/Ti-doped Al2O3 ceramic with a homogeneous microstructure can be obtained by an appropriate amount of TiO2 addition. In the process of the heat treatment, the TiO2 in the ceramics was reduced to a certain degree, which had an impact on the microstructure of the Al2O3 ceramic. Adding a small amount of TiO2 can improve the voltage holdoff performance in the vacuum. The value of the surface flashover threshold in the vacuum of the Cr/Mn/Ti-doped Al2O3 ceramic containing 1 wt.% TiO2 reached a value of 33 kV, which is 32% higher than that of the basic Al2O3 ceramic. The preparation of Al2O3 ceramics with a high voltage holdoff capacity in a vacuum provides fundamental technical support for the development of vacuum electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flavonoids represent the main class of plant secondary metabolites and occur in the tissues and organs of various plant species. In plants, flavonoids are involved in many biological processes and in response to various environmental stresses. The consumption of flavonoids has been known to reduce the risk of many chronic diseases due to their antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties. In the present review, we summarize the classification, distribution, biosynthesis pathways, and regulatory mechanisms of flavonoids. Moreover, we investigated their biological activities and discuss their applications in food processing and cosmetics, as well as their pharmaceutical and medical uses. Current trends in flavonoid research are also briefly described, including the mining of new functional genes and metabolites through omics research and the engineering of flavonoids using nanotechnology. This review provides a reference for basic and applied research on flavonoid compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is devoted to investigating a class of neutral-type integral differential equations arising in an epidemic model. By using Mawhin's continuation theorem and the properties of neutral-type operators, we obtain the existence conditions for positive periodic solutions of the considered neutral-type integral differential equation. Compared with previous results, the existence conditions in this paper are less restricted, thus extending the results of the existing literature. Finally, two examples are given to show the effectiveness and merits of the main results of this paper. Our results can be used to obtain the existence of a positive periodic solution to the corresponding non-neutral-type integral differential equation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An EMT-related genes prognostic index could predict HCC prognosis. • The cluster C1 patients responded well to immune checkpoint inhibitors. • The cluster C2 patients were sensitive to chemotherapeutic and antiangiogenic agents. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) contributes to high tumor heterogeneity and the immunosuppressive environment of the HCC tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we developed EMT-related genes phenotyping clusters and systematically evaluated their impact on HCC prognosis, the TME, and drug efficacy prediction. We identified HCC specific EMT-related genes using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). An EMT-related genes prognostic index (EMT-RGPI) capable of effectively predicting HCC prognosis was then constructed. Consensus clustering of 12 HCC specific EMT-related hub genes uncovered two molecular clusters C1 and C2. Cluster C2 preferentially associated with unfavorable prognosis, higher stemness index (mRNAsi) value, elevated immune checkpoint expression, and immune cell infiltration. The TGF-β signaling, EMT, glycolysis, Wnt β-catenin signaling, and angiogenesis were markedly enriched in cluster C2. Moreover, cluster C2 exhibited higher TP53 and RB1 mutation rates. The TME subtypes and tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) score showed that cluster C1 patients responded well to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) revealed that cluster C2 patients were more sensitive to chemotherapeutic and antiangiogenic agents. These findings may guide risk stratification and precision therapy for HCC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we study a periodic boundary value problem related to valveless pumping. The valveless pumping is described by the unidirectional flow of liquid in a system. We establish some conditions for globally asymptotic stability and the existence of a positive periodic solution to the considered equation. Finally, a numerical example shows that the theoretical results in this paper are feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) have considerable potential as pivotal biomarkers to monitor cancer development, dis‐ease progression, treatment effects and prognosis. Here, we report an efficient target recycling amplification process (TRAP) for the digital detection of miRNAs using photonic resonator absorption microscopy. We achieve multiplex digital detection with sub‐attomolar sensitivity in 20 minutes, robust selectivity for single nucleotide variants, and a broad dynamic range from 1 aM to 1 pM. Compared with traditional qRT‐PCR, TRAP showed similar accuracy in profiling exosomal miRNAs derived from cancer cells, but also exhibited at least 31‐fold and 61‐fold enhancement in the limits of miRNA‐375 and miRNA‐21 detection, respectively. The TRAP approach is ideal for exosomal or circulating miRNA biomarker quantification, where the miRNAs are present in low concentrations or sample volume, with potentials for frequent, low‐cost, and minimally invasive point‐of‐care testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) have considerable potential as pivotal biomarkers to monitor cancer development, dis‐ease progression, treatment effects and prognosis. Here, we report an efficient target recycling amplification process (TRAP) for the digital detection of miRNAs using photonic resonator absorption microscopy. We achieve multiplex digital detection with sub‐attomolar sensitivity in 20 minutes, robust selectivity for single nucleotide variants, and a broad dynamic range from 1 aM to 1 pM. Compared with traditional qRT‐PCR, TRAP showed similar accuracy in profiling exosomal miRNAs derived from cancer cells, but also exhibited at least 31‐fold and 61‐fold enhancement in the limits of miRNA‐375 and miRNA‐21 detection, respectively. The TRAP approach is ideal for exosomal or circulating miRNA biomarker quantification, where the miRNAs are present in low concentrations or sample volume, with potentials for frequent, low‐cost, and minimally invasive point‐of‐care testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Random noise attenuation is of great importance to obtain high-quality seismic data. Unsupervised deep learning methods have received much attention for various seismic data processing tasks in recent years. Specifically, the self-supervised deep learning method obtains supervisory information from the data itself, showing its promising denoising ability in various geophysical applications. In this work, a dropout-based self-supervised (DSS) deep learning method is applied for single seismic data random noise attenuation. In the DSS method, single masked noisy data is generated for training and self-supervised loss function construction. The U-shaped convolutional network (U-Net) with a dropout strategy is taken as the main network framework to enhance the denoising stability and reduce the over-fitting effectively. Compared with the traditional f-x deconvolution (FX-Decon) and deep image prior (DIP) method, the DSS method achieves better denoising results in preserving details for synthetic seismic data and field data. Moreover, numerical experiments indicate that the DSS method is stable for seismic denoising and reduces the over-fitting phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resmetirom, a liver-directed, orally active agonist of THR-β, could play a favorable role in treating NASH, but little is known about the underlying mechanism. A NASH cell model was established to test the preventive effect of resmetirom on this disease in vitro. RNA-seq was used for screening, and rescue experiments were performed to validate the target gene of the drug. A NASH mouse model was used to further elucidate the role and the underlying mechanism of resmetirom. Resmetirom effectively eliminated lipid accumulation and decreased triglyceride (TG) levels. In addition, repressed RGS5 in the NASH model could be recovered by resmetirom treatment. The silencing of RGS5 effectively impaired the role of resmetirom. In the NASH mouse model, obvious gray hepatization, liver fibrosis and inflammation, and increased macrophage infiltration were observed in liver tissues, while resmetirom almost returned them to normal conditions as observed in the control group. Pathological experimental data also confirmed that resmetirom has great potential in NASH treatment. Finally, RGS5 expression was suppressed in the NASH mouse model, but it was upregulated by resmetirom treatment, while the STAT3 and NF-κB signaling pathways were activated in NASH but inhibited by the agent. Resmetirom could improve NASH by recovering RGS5 expression and subsequently inactivating the STAT3 and NF-κB signaling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the realization of the "dual carbon" goal, urban public transport with an increasing proportion of new energy vehicles will become the key subject to achieve the carbon emission reduction goal. Under the new background of deep coupling between transport networks and power grids, it is of great significance to study the carbon-trading mode of urban public transport participation in promoting the development of new energy vehicles and improving the operating efficiency and low-carbon level of the "energy-transport" system. In this paper, based on blockchain technology, a framework for urban public transportation networks to participate in carbon trading is established to solve the current problems of urban public transportation's insufficient motivation to reduce emissions, lax operation strategy and lack of carbon-trading matching mechanisms. Finally, Hyperledger Fabric was selected as the simulation platform, and we simulated the model through the calculation example. The results show that the proposed scheme can effectively improve the operating efficiency of urban public transport and reduce its operating costs and carbon emissions. In addition, policy recommendations on carbon price, carbon quota and penalties are proposed to improve the institutional system of the carbon-trading market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, new energy power generation has been widely used. As household energy storage will be widely promoted in the future, many households' energy storage will soon need to be replaced. It is of great significance to study the recycling of household energy storage to reduce environmental pollution and promote the sustainable development of the household energy storage market. However, the lack of research on the design of household energy storage and recovery network from the perspective of manufacturing enterprises hinders the sustainable development of household energy storage. Based on the above, a household energy storage recycling model considering carbon emissions was established in this paper. This model evaluated the recovery status of household energy storage online through a big data platform and proposed three different recovery schemes based on the evaluation results. Through a case study of Sichuan and Chongqing, the overall profit of the household energy storage and recycling system could be increased by about CNY 1.61 million, while reducing about 1.04 hundred tons of carbon emissions, thus verifying the feasibility and effectiveness of the model. In addition, the results of scenario analysis showed that the processing cost and demand are the main factors affecting the optimal design of the recycling network, and they can change the configuration of the network. Appropriate processing methods, locations, and transportation schemes would decrease the cost of production and carbon emissions. Household energy storage is possible for recycling residual values that decrease carbon emissions during storage. At the same time, further improving more efficient recycling technology is an important idea to increase the profits of household energy storage manufacturers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to present a novel hydrostatic squeeze film-metal mesh journal bearing (HS-MMJB), which uses both hydrostatic squeeze film damper (HSFD) and metal mesh damper (MMD), to suppress the vibration of rotor-bearing systems. Design/methodology/approach: The lubrication equations were introduced to calculate the dynamic characteristics of HS-MMJB, and the response analyses of rotor systems were carried out. Experiments were conducted to study the vibration reduction of a rotor system with HS-MMJB. In addition, experiments for different oil supply pressures in the HS-MMJB were conducted. Findings: The theoretical and experimental results show that the HS-MMJB exhibits excellent damping and vibration attenuation characteristics. Moreover, the stability of the rotor system can be improved by controlling the oil supply pressure. Originality/value: There is a dearth of research on vibration characteristics of rotor system support by journal bearing combining HSFD and MMD. Moreover, the active oil pressure control is implemented to improve the stability of rotor system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A robust control strategy based on Adaboost prediction was proposed for the effects of dynamic uncertainty, parameter perturbation and nonlinear factors such as friction and leakage on the robustness and low-speed performance of the electro-hydraulic servo system. Based on the establishment of the Pol-Ind friction model, according to the mathematical model of the continuous rotary electro-hydraulic servo motor, the structural uncertainty model of the system under parameter perturbation and external perturbation and the generalized state equation of the system are established. The robust controller is designed according to the H ∞ control theory. The system feedback mechanism is designed by using the AdaBoost based on the RBF neural network algorithm. The real-time input and output of the system are used as the training sample set for repeated training, and the multiple weak neural network predictors obtained by training are used to form a strong predictor to calculate the forecast output and error of the electro-hydraulic servo system, and the robust controller was used for real-time control. Simulation and experiment show that: compared with the wavelet neural network control, the robust controller based on AdaBoost prediction has a good tracking performance to the slope signal with an input signal of 0.001°/s, and has a high response speed to sinusoidal signal. Under the condition of satisfying the requirement of double 10 index, the maximum response frequency reaches 15 Hz. It can effectively improve the low-speed performance and anti-interference ability of the electro-hydraulic servo system, greatly improve the robustness of the system and expand the frequency band of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: Five PeAOX genes from Moso bamboo genome were identified. PeAOX1b_2-OE improved tolerance to drought and salinity stress in Arabidopsis, indicating it is involved in positive regulation of abiotic stress response. Mitochondrial alternative oxidase (AOX), the important respiratory terminal oxidase in organisms, catalyzes the energy wasteful cyanide (CN)-resistant respiration, which can improve abiotic stresses tolerance and is considered as one of the functional markers for plant resistance breeding. Here, a total of five putative AOX genes (PeAOXs) were identified and characterized in a monocotyledonous woody grass Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that PeAOXs belonged to AOX1 subfamily, and were named PeAOX1a_1, PeAOX1a_2, PeAOX1b_1, PeAOX1b_2 and PeAOX1c, respectively. Evolutionary and divergence patterns analysis revealed that the PeAOX, OsAOX, and BdAOX families experienced positive purifying selection and may have undergone a large-scale duplication event roughly 1.35–155.90 million years ago. Additionally, the organ-specific expression analysis showed that 80% of PeAOX members were mainly expressed in leaf. Promoter sequence analysis of PeAOXs revealed cis-acting regulatory elements (CAREs) responding to abiotic stress. Most PeAOX genes were significantly upregulated after methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. Moreover, under salinity and drought stresses, the ectopic overexpression of PeAOX1b_2 in Arabidopsis enhanced seed germination and seedling establishment, increased the total respiratory rate and the proportion of AOX respiratory pathway in leaf, and enhanced antioxidant ability, suggesting that PeAOX1b_2 is crucial for abiotic stress resistance in Moso bamboo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of renewable energy in China has made remarkable achievements, but the problem of renewable energy consumption has become increasingly prominent. This paper establishes a power market trading system for renewable energy, with the aim of promoting large-scale renewable energy consumption and increasing the enthusiasm of renewable energy producers and users to participate in market transactions. First, according to the power generation cost, the backup cost of renewable energy power plants and the possible quotation strategies of other renewable energy producers, a quotation model of renewable energy producers is established. In the clearing of the spot market by renewable energy producers, the independent market operator conducts the first-stage clearing of the electricity market with the goal of maximizing social welfare. After the announcement of the clearing results, the renewable energy producers that did not win the bid will revise their quotations and carry out the second stage clearing to realize the consumption of renewable energy. In this paper, the particle swarm algorithm combined with the CPLEX solver is used to solve the problem, and finally, different scenarios are analyzed through example analysis. The results show that, compared with the conventional power market trading mechanism, the energy abandonment rate of the power market trading mechanism for renewable energy proposed in this paper drops from 8.2% to 2.1%, and the profit margin of renewable energy producers increase by 6.6%. It is demonstrated that the proposed electricity market mechanism can effectively promote the consumption of renewable energy and increase the income of renewable energy producers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HLA‐C*06:02:96 differs from HLA‐C*06:02:01:01 (924C → A, I284I), resulting in a synonymous change in exon 5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, on the basis of our previous research on bandwidth of non-collinear phase-matching second harmonic generation (SHG) and nonlinear Cherenkov radiation (NCR) generated on the boundary of bulk nonlinear crystal, we demonstrated theoretically the coupled wave equation of SHG generated by a Gaussian beam on the boundary of 5%/mol M g O : L i N b O 3. Using the Fourier-transform technique, we solved this coupled wave equation. The results can explain theoretically the generation mechanism of two different experimental phenomena which corresponded to non-collinear phase-matching SHG under anomalous-dispersion-like dispersion condition and nonlinear NCR under normal dispersion condition, respectively. The theoretical results show a good agreement with the experimental data. This work can provide theoretical fundamental for more complicated research on the boundary of nonlinear media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA G‐quadruplexes (G4s) have been identified as critical elements in modulating genomic functions and many other biological processes. Their functions are highly dependent on the primary nucleotides and secondary folding structures. Therefore, to understand their functions, methods to identify and differentiate structures of G4 with speed and accuracy are required but limited. In this report, we have applied a synthetic G4 DNA‐encoded nanoparticle approach to identify and differentiate G4 DNA molecules with different topologies and nucleotide residues. We found that the resulting plasmonic properties of the gold nanoparticles, monitored by UV/Vis spectroscopy, are quite sensitive to different G4 structures, including stacking layers, loop sequences, capping bases on G4s, and topological structures. Through these systematic investigations, we demonstrate that this G4‐encoded gold nanoparticle approach can be used to profile the G4 structures and distinguish G4s from human telomeres. Such a method may have wide applications in G4 research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA G‐quadruplexes (G4s) have been identified as critical elements in modulating genomic functions and many other biological processes. Their functions are highly dependent on the primary nucleotides and secondary folding structures. Therefore, to understand their functions, methods to identify and differentiate structures of G4 with speed and accuracy are required but limited. In this report, we have applied a synthetic G4 DNA‐encoded nanoparticle approach to identify and differentiate G4 DNA molecules with different topologies and nucleotide residues. We found that the resulting plasmonic properties of the gold nanoparticles, monitored by UV/Vis spectroscopy, are quite sensitive to different G4 structures, including stacking layers, loop sequences, capping bases on G4s, and topological structures. Through these systematic investigations, we demonstrate that this G4‐encoded gold nanoparticle approach can be used to profile the G4 structures and distinguish G4s from human telomeres. Such a method may have wide applications in G4 research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wireless sensor networks (WSNs) require an optimal selection of control nodes for improving the operational performance of the overall network. The data are increasing day by day, and it is difficult to a handle huge amount of data. For speedy transmission of data, it is mandatory to deploy sophisticated methods for improving the operations of WSNs. There are many methods proposed by the researchers to improve the operations of WSNs, but the data are increasing and more methods are needed to be explored to handle the operations of WSNs to smoothly handle a huge amount of data. To cater to this need, this research is proposing a method of selecting optimal control nodes for WSNs based on the C-means clustering algorithm (CCA). The CCA is improved by the weighting mechanism in the cluster, and the remaining energy of the node is taken into account. If the node energy is more as compared to the average energy in the cluster in each round, it will have the chance to serve as the cluster head node (CHN) and the adaptive assignment of CHN is made according to the generated cluster size by WSN. Every node possesses the probability of becoming a CHN to save the energy utilization of the node and to obtain the optimal control for node selection in WSN. The experimental results reveal that the coverage rate of WSN is improved after applying the proposed method. The network energy utilization is optimized, which effectively prolongs the lifetime of WSN and improves the overall network output including throughput, energy consumption rate, and data transmission rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

METTL3 was known to run through the whole cycle of RNA. It relied on m6A modification in the mRNAs of cancer‐related genes to regulate tumour progression. The development of prostate cancer cells could be promoted by METTL3 via hedgehog pathway. Recent studies had shown that the effect of METTL3 on non‐coding RNA was mainly dependent on the modification of m6A. However, it is still unknown whether METTL3 promotes tumour development through this mechanism in prostate cancer. The expression of METTL3 in prostate cancer tissues and cells was analysed by qRT‐PCR and Western blot assays. CCK‐8 assay, colony formation assay, wound‐healing assay and transwell assays were conducted to detect the impact of METTL3 on cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Nude mice tumour models were built to evaluate the role of METTL3 in tumorigenesis. N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) RNA immunoprecipitation assay (MeRIP) and co‐immunoprecipitations assays were performed to verified that METTL3 upregulated the m6A level, interacted with microprocessor protein DGCR8, recognized the m6A modification of pre‐miR‐182 to regulate its maturation.METTL3 was highly expressed in prostate cancer, and knockdown of METTL3 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion and tumorigenesis, while overexpression of METTL3 promoted cell proliferation, migration, invasion and tumorigenesis in PCa. In addition, we found that METTL3 upregulating the level of m6A, and interacted with DGCR8 to recognize the m6A modification of pre‐miR‐182 to regulate its splicing and maturation and promote the high expression of miRNA. Our study suggests that METTL3 could be used in targeted therapies for PCa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to investigate the influence of various advertising channels on consumers' value perceptions of luxury brands, with a specific focus on the potential negative effects of TikTok on luxury advertising. Using an experimental design, four studies were conducted to rigorously examine these research questions. Study 1 reveals that, compared to traditional media, TikTok advertising has a more adverse impact on consumers' value perceptions of luxury brands. In Study 2, the mediating role of psychological distance is identified as the underlying mechanism explaining how media types in luxury advertising affect value perceptions. Study 3(a) highlights significant disparities in the number of online reviews and "likes" for different review types. Additionally, Study 3(b) discovers that self-deprecating online reviews can significantly increase the value perception of luxury brands on TikTok. This study contributes both theoretically and practically to the field of luxury marketing management, offering insights into the nuanced dynamics of luxury advertising across diverse media channels. Furthermore, it provides valuable suggestions for future research within the realm of luxury marketing, particularly in the context of social media. • Advertising on TikTok may diminish consumers' value perceptions of luxury brands. • Psychological distance explains TikTok's negative effects on value perception. • TikTok users prefer exploring self-deprecating reviews, when watching luxury ads. • Self-deprecating reviews enhance TikTok users' value perception of luxury brands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to carry out a quantitative analysis of the teaching effect of college English courses based on multivariate matrix evaluation model, this paper takes as research objects 87-year 2020-enrolled undergraduate students from a university in Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, central China. On the basis of summarizing and analyzing previous research works, this study expounded the research status and significance of quantitative analysis of the teaching effect of college English courses, elaborated the development background, current status, and future challenges of multivariate matrix evaluation model, introduced the data source and the subjects, contents, and means of teaching effect quantification in this research, analyzed the feedback and guiding function of the teaching effect quantification result of college English courses, discussed the motivation and diagnosis function of the teaching effect quantification result of college English courses, conducted analyses of factors affecting the teaching effect quantification of college English courses, constructed the quantitative dimension of teaching effect of college English courses based on the multivariate matrix evaluation model, and finally designed the quantification system of teaching effect of college English courses based on the multivariate matrix evaluation model. The research results show that the quantitative analysis process of the teaching effect of college English courses has the characteristics of complex structure and many hierarchies, and there are also mutual influences and functions between its subsystems. In order to ensure the rationality and effectiveness of comprehensive quantification, the index system construction of the multivariate matrix evaluation model follows scientific, systematic, and focused principles. The teaching effect quantification process combines four influencing factors of perspective, content, mode, and method with the quantification standard, and constructs a hierarchical quantification structure with target layer, restriction factor layer, and restriction sub-factor layer. The tools it uses usually include observations, interviews, self-evaluation, mutual evaluation, student files, reading notes, project presentations, etc. Teachers adjust teaching goals and plans in time by observing the quantification results of students at all levels, which will help improve students' enthusiasm for learning and give full play to students' autonomy and initiative in English courses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have shown that the stabilization of neoclassical tearing modes (NTMs) by electron cyclotron current drive (ECCD) in ITER may be impeded when the injected electron cyclotron wave beam is broadened by plasma density fluctuations. This paper starts with the analysis of NTM stabilization by ECCD using the modified Rutherford equation (MRE). It is shown that with a wide wave deposition, the most effective approach for mode stabilization is to apply modulated ECCD early during the mode growth when the magnetic island is small, as expected. Numerical simulations based on reduced magnetohydrodynamic equations have been further carried out, and the results show the same trend as those obtained from the MRE. However, the perpendicular transport of fast electrons, taken into account in numerical simulations, is found to significantly degrade the mode stabilization by modulated ECCD. The modulated driven current required for mode stabilization is proportional to the square root of the perpendicular diffusivity of fast electrons and is increased by several times when the diffusivity reaches the anomalous transport level due to plasma turbulence. If the radial misalignment of the driven current from the resonant surface reaches ∼4% of the plasma minor radius, the mode stabilization can be degraded to a great extent, depending on the wave deposition width and the perpendicular diffusivity of fast electrons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluidized catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) main fractionator is a complex system with multivariable, nonlinear and uncertainty. Its modeling is a hard nut to crack. Ordinary modeling methods are difficult to estimate its dynamic characteristics accurately. In this work, the gray wolf optimizer with bubble-net predation (GWO_BP) is proposed for solving this complex optimization problem. GWO_BP can effectively balance the detectability and exploitability to find the optimal value faster, and improve the accuracy. The head wolf has the best fitness value in GWO. GWO_BP uses the spiral bubble predation method of whale to replace the surrounding hunting scheme of the head wolf, which enhances the global search ability and speeds up the convergence speed. And Lévy flight is applied to improve the wolf search strategy to update the positions of wolfpack for overcoming the disadvantage of easily falling into local optimum. The experiments of the basic GWO, the particle swarm optimization (PSO) and the GWO_BP are carried out with 12 typical test functions. The experimental results show that GWO_BP has the best optimization accuracy. Then, the GWO_BP is used to solve the parameter estimation problem of FCCU main fractionator model. The simulation results show that the FCCU main fractionator model established by the proposed modeling method can accurately reflect the dynamic characteristics of the real world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The endophytic microbiome in orchid plants is rich and diverse; however, few studies have analyzed the endophytic microbiome of Cymbidium plants in different tissues and soils. This study implemented the Illumina Miseq technology to investigate the diversity of endophytic fungi in different tissues of wild Cymbidium goeringii. The results demonstrated that different tissue samples harbor a rich fungal endophytic community, and those fungi could be classified into 4 phyla, at least 145 families, and 185 genera. The endophytic fungal community diversity differed among the orchid tissues and soils, and some fungal taxa were clearly concentrated in certain orchid tissues, with more operational taxonomic units (OTUs) being detected. Investigation of mycorrhizal associations showed that 43 (about 3.8%) of the total 1137 OTUs could be assigned as Orchidaceae mycorrhizal fungi (OMF), while about 96.2% the OTUs were non-mycorrhizal fungi. Among the OMFs, OTUs of the ectomycorrhizal fungi Russulaceae and Thelephoraceae families were the most abundant, with different richness in the soil, followed by Tulasnellaceae and Ceratobasidiaceae, which were dominant in the root communities of C. goeringii. In the seeds, the absolutely dominant family was Nectriaceae, and the common OMFs Ceratobasidiaceae (five OTUs) and Tulasnellaceae (one OTU) were also detected in the seeds. Two Tulasnella spp. isolates from the roots of wild C. goeringii could effectively promote seed germination and rhizome formation of wild C. goeringii, and these strains might be particularly important in the practice of conservation for many endangered C. goeringii in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paphiopedilum armeniacum S. C. Chen et F. Y. Liu is an endangered lady's slipper orchid species with high horticultural value. As observed for other orchids, mycorrhizal fungi and endophytic bacteria play important roles in the growth and development of P. armeniacum. In the present study, the community structure dynamics across three growth and development stages of cultivated P. armeniacum were investigated. The potential interactions between Tulasnellaceae fungi and core bacterial genera on one hand and the stability of the presumed mycorrhizal fungi communities on the other were analyzed in three growth stages of P. armeniacum to enhance our understanding of endophytic microbial community structure dynamics in the roots at different development stages. Based on sequencing, 3 and 16 phyla and 59 and 269 genera were identified in the fungal and bacterial communities, respectively. The predominant fungi and bacteria were Basidiomycota (62.90%) and Proteobacteria (43.98%), which exhibited changes in abundance and diversity depending on the growth stage of P. armeniacum. Assessment of the entire microbial communities from different growth stages showed that the seedling stage had the highest richness and diversity. The microbial communities recruited by P. armeniacum at the seedling stage were different from those recruited at the vegetative and reproductive growth stages, and the microbial communities recruited in the latter two stages overlapped. Tulasnellaceae were the only dominant fungal symbionts during P. armeniacum growth. Brevibacillus, Mycobacterium, and Sphingomonas, the three core genera, showed significant interactions with the main OTUs of Tulasnellaceae. Putative mycorrhizal fungi in P. armeniacum were relatively stable across different growth environments, and the core mycorrhizal fungi were uncultured Tulasnellaceae (OTU1). This could facilitate the ex situ conservation and commercial development of the endangered orchid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dysregulation of the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) has been revealed to contribute to cognitive and arousal impairments associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in an animal model. In our research an acute exposure to single prolonged stress (SPS) was used to establish PTSD rat model and the effects related to cell-cycle signaling pathway in DRN were examined. Apoptosis in DRN was detected by TUNEL staining, showing that DRN apoptosis number was sharply increased after SPS. SPS triggered cell-cycle CDK4/CyclinD1-pRB-E2F1 signal pathway. Treatment with CDK4 inhibitor Abemaciclib successfully attenuated the DRN apoptosis and rescued decreased spatial learning and memory abilities in SPS rats, indicating that activation of CDK4/CyclinD1-pRB-E2F1 pathway was involved in DRN apoptosis, which may be one of the pathogenesis for PTSD. • Single prolonged stress (SPS) can lead to dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) apoptosis. • Cell-cycle CDK4/CyclinD1-pRB-E2F1 pathway can be activated after exposure to SPS. • Cell-cycle CDK4/CyclinD1-pRB-E2F1 pathway activation may be one of the mechanisms for DRN apoptosis. • CDK4/CyclinD1-pRB-E2F1 pathway inhibition by CDK4 inhibitor Abemaciclib partly blocked SPS-induced apoptosis of DRN and rescued decreased spatial learning and memory abilities in SPS rats. • DRN apoptosis induced by CDK4/CyclinD1-pRB-E2F1 pathway might be one ot the pathogenesis for PTSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple primary lung cancer (MPLC) is considered relatively rare. This report presents an unusual case of multiple pulmonary nodules in a 74-year-old man who presented with three independent synchronous tumors in the right upper lobe. The tumors were diagnosed as peripheral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), adenocarcinoma, and pulmonary mixed squamous cell and glandular papilloma (mixed papilloma). Mixed papilloma is an extremely rare, benign pulmonary tumor with a typical papillary appearance, showing squamous and glandular epithelial differentiation. The histological and immunohistochemical features of each tumor were analyzed. In addition, molecular pathological examination for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) showed no mutation in two primary cancers. Mixed papilloma showed no BRAF V600E mutation or HPV infection. The present case report provides a clinicopathological understanding of an instance in which three tumors of different pathological types are present in the same lung lobe. Furthermore, it provides a literature review regarding multiple lung nodules, focusing on the clinicopathological diagnosis, clinical treatment, and prognostic assessment of these nodules. This is the first case report of mixed papilloma arising in MPLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glyphosate (GLYP) is a widely used pesticide; it is considered to be a safe herbicide for animals and humans because it targets 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase. However, there has been increasing evidence that GLYP causes varying degrees of toxicity. Moreover, oxidative stress and metabolism are highly correlated with toxicity. This review provides a comprehensive introduction to the toxicity of GLYP and, for the first time, systematically summarizes the toxicity mechanism of GLYP from the perspective of oxidative stress, including GLYP-mediated oxidative damage, changes in antioxidant status, altered signaling pathways, and the regulation of oxidative stress by exogenous substances. In addition, the metabolism of GLYP is discussed, including metabolites,metabolic pathways, metabolic enzymes, and the toxicity of metabolites. This review provides new ideas for the toxicity mechanism of GLYP and proposes effective strategies for reducing its toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Loss-of-function mutations or abnormal expressions of E ubiquitin ligases contributes to tumorigenesis. TRIM38 was reported to regulate immunity, inflammatory responses or apoptosis, but its roles in tumor progression remain inconclusive. This study aimed to investigate the functional roles of TRIM38 in bladder cancer to identify effective targets. Methods: Firstly, the expression data of ubiquitination-associated genes were derived from the TCGA-BLCA cohort. Univariate Cox regression method was utilized to screen prognostic genes. Colony formation assay, Transwell assay, sphere formation assays were used to assess functional roles of TRIM38. TAP/MS assay was used to identify downstream substrates of TRIM38. Fresh clinical BLCA tissues were collected to evaluate the clinicopathological features of patients with different TRIM38 expression. The subcutaneous tumor models were established to determine the drug efficacy of BAY-876. Results: A list of ubiquitination-associated signature was identified based on the screening in TCGA-BLCA cohort. Subsequent validations revealed that TRIM38 was a significant suppressor in tumors, which was expressed lowly in BLCA. Kaplan–Meier analysis and correlation analysis suggested that patients with low TRIM38 expressions had shorter survival time and advanced clinical characteristics. Targeting TRIM38 reinforced BLCA cells proliferation, migration and stemness. Mechanistically, TRIM38 interacted with GLUT1, thereby promoting its ubiquitinoylation and degradation. Furthermore, TRIM38 deficiency relied on accumulated GLUT1 proteins to enhance BLCA malignant features and cellular glycolytic capacity. We accordingly investigated the efficacy of GLUT1 inhibitor (BAY-876) in BLCA and determined its IC50 values across cell lines. Tumor xenograft models further validated that BAY-876 could effectively suppress the in vivo growth of TRIM38low/− BLCA. Conclusions: Our results suggested that TRIM38 plays a tumor suppressive role in BLCA pathogenesis and TRIM38/GLUT1 axis is a therapeutic vulnerability for clinical treatment, which possessing great translational significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Loss-of-function mutations or abnormal expressions of E ubiquitin ligases contributes to tumorigenesis. TRIM38 was reported to regulate immunity, inflammatory responses or apoptosis, but its roles in tumor progression remain inconclusive. This study aimed to investigate the functional roles of TRIM38 in bladder cancer to identify effective targets.Methods: Firstly, the expression data of ubiquitination-associated genes were derived from the TCGA-BLCA cohort. Univariate Cox regression method was utilized to screen prognostic genes. Colony formation assay, Transwell assay, sphere formation assays were used to assess functional roles of TRIM38. TAP/MS assay was used to identify downstream substrates of TRIM38. Fresh clinical BLCA tissues were collected to evaluate the clinicopathological features of patients with different TRIM38 expression. The subcutaneous tumor models were established to determine the drug efficacy of BAY-876.Results: A list of ubiquitination-associated signature was identified based on the screening in TCGA-BLCA cohort. Subsequent validations revealed that TRIM38 was a significant suppressor in tumors, which was expressed lowly in BLCA. Kaplan-Meier analysis and correlation analysis suggested that patients with low TRIM38 expressions had shorter survival time and advanced clinical characteristics. Targeting TRIM38 reinforced BLCA cells proliferation, migration and stemness. Mechanistically, TRIM38 interacted with GLUT1, thereby promoting its ubiquitinoylation and degradation. Furthermore, TRIM38 deficiency relied on accumulated GLUT1 proteins to enhance BLCA malignant features and cellular glycolytic capacity. We accordingly investigated the efficacy of GLUT1 inhibitor (BAY-876) in BLCA and determined its IC50 values across cell lines. Tumor xenograft models further validated that BAY-876 could effectively suppress the in vivo growth of TRIM38low/- BLCA.Conclusions: Our results suggested that TRIM38 plays a tumor suppressive role in BLCA pathogenesis and TRIM38/GLUT1 axis is a therapeutic vulnerability for clinical treatment, which possessing great translational significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As a metabolic reprogramming feature, cancer cells derive most of their energy from aerobic glycolysis, while its regulatory mechanisms and therapeutic strategies continue to be illusive. Methods: Integrative analysis of publically available expression profile datasets was used to identify critical transcriptional regulators and their target glycolytic enzymes. The functions and acting mechanisms of transcriptional regulators in cancer cells were investigated by using in vitro and in vivo assays. The Kaplan–Meier curve and log‐rank assay were used to conduct the survival study. Results: Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI1/PU.1), a haematopoietic transcription factor, was identified to facilitate glycolytic process, tumourigenesis, invasiveness, as well as metastasis of colon cancer cells, which was interplayed by tumour‐associated neutrophils. Mechanistically, neutrophils delivered SPI1 mRNA via extracellular vesicles, resulting in enhanced SPI1 expression of cancer cells. Through physical interaction with SPI1‐related protein (SPIB), SPI1 drove expression of glycolytic genes within cancer cells, which in turn induced polarization of neutrophils via glycolytic metabolite lactate. Depletion of neutrophils or SPIB–SPI1 interaction in cancer cells significantly inhibited glycolytic process, tumourigenesis and aggressiveness. Upregulation of SPI1 or SPIB was found to be associated with poor prognosis in patients suffering from colon cancer. Conclusions: Therapeutic targeting of SPIB/SPI1‐facilitated interplay of cancerous cells and neutrophils suppresses aerobic glycolysis and progression of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanium (Ti) implants are widely used in dentistry and orthopedics owing to their excellent corrosion resistance, biocompatibility, and mechanical properties, which have gained increasing attention from the viewpoints of fundamental research and practical applications. Also, numerous studies have been carried out to fine-tune the micro/nanostructures of Ti and/or incorporate chemical elements to improve overall implant performance. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (nano-ZnO) are well-known for their good antibacterial properties and low cytotoxicity along with their ability to synergize with a variety of substances, which have received increasingly widespread attention as biomodification materials for implants. In this review, we summarize recent research progress on nano-ZnO modified Ti-implants. Their preparation methods of nano-ZnO modified Ti-implants are introduced, followed by a further presentation of the antibacterial, osteogenic, and anti-corrosion properties of these implants. Finally, challenges and future opportunities for nano-ZnO modified Ti-implants are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The relationship between dyslipidemia and obesity has been widely reported, but the global lipid profiles associated with the development of obesity still need to be clarified. An investigation into the association between the lipidomic plasma profile and adolescent obesity may provide new insights into the development of obesity. Methods: Mass spectrometry coupled with liquid chromatography was applied to detect the global lipidome in the fasting plasma from 90 Chinese adolescents, including 34 obese adolescents, 26 overweight adolescents, and 30 adolescents with a normal body mass index (BMI). All participants underwent anthropometric measurements by using InBody. Clinical biochemical indicators were measured by Cobas Elecsys. Results: Both qualitative and quantitative analyses revealed a gradual change in plasma lipid features among obese students, exhibiting characteristics close to overweight students, but differing significantly from normal students. Compared with normal and overweight students, levels of triglyceride (TG), 18-hydroxycortisol, isohumulinone A, and 11-dihydro-12-norneoquassin were up-regulated in the obese group, while phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), lysoPC (LPC), lysoPE (LPE), and phosphatidylinositol (PI) were significantly down-regulated in the obese group. Then, we conducted Venn diagrams and selected 8 significant metabolites from the 3 paired comparisons. Most of the selected features were significantly correlated with the anthropometric measurements. Conclusions: This study demonstrated evidence for a relationship between the eight significant metabolites with obese adolescents. These lipid features may provide a basis for evaluating risk and monitoring the development of obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The relationship between dyslipidemia and obesity has been widely reported, but the global lipid profiles associated with the development of obesity still need to be clarified. An investigation into the association between the lipidomic plasma profile and adolescent obesity may provide new insights into the development of obesity. Methods: Mass spectrometry coupled with liquid chromatography was applied to detect the global lipidome in the fasting plasma from 90 Chinese adolescents, including 34 obese adolescents, 26 overweight adolescents, and 30 adolescents with a normal body mass index (BMI). All participants underwent anthropometric measurements by using InBody. Clinical biochemical indicators were measured by Cobas Elecsys. Results: Both qualitative and quantitative analyses revealed a gradual change in plasma lipid features among obese students, exhibiting characteristics close to overweight students, but differing significantly from normal students. Compared with normal and overweight students, levels of triglyceride (TG), 18-hydroxycortisol, isohumulinone A, and 11-dihydro-12-norneoquassin were up-regulated in the obese group, while phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), lysoPC (LPC), lysoPE (LPE), and phosphatidylinositol (PI) were significantly down-regulated in the obese group. Then, we conducted Venn diagrams and selected 8 significant metabolites from the 3 paired comparisons. Most of the selected features were significantly correlated with the anthropometric measurements. Conclusions: This study demonstrated evidence for a relationship between the eight significant metabolites with obese adolescents. These lipid features may provide a basis for evaluating risk and monitoring the development of obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The relationship between dyslipidemia and obesity has been widely reported, but the global lipid profiles associated with the development of obesity still need to be clarified. An investigation into the association between the lipidomic plasma profile and adolescent obesity may provide new insights into the development of obesity. Methods: Mass spectrometry coupled with liquid chromatography was applied to detect the global lipidome in the fasting plasma from 90 Chinese adolescents, including 34 obese adolescents, 26 overweight adolescents, and 30 adolescents with a normal body mass index (BMI). All participants underwent anthropometric measurements by using InBody. Clinical biochemical indicators were measured by Cobas Elecsys. Results: Both qualitative and quantitative analyses revealed a gradual change in plasma lipid features among obese students, exhibiting characteristics close to overweight students, but differing significantly from normal students. Compared with normal and overweight students, levels of triglyceride (TG), 18-hydroxycortisol, isohumulinone A, and 11-dihydro-12-norneoquassin were up-regulated in the obese group, while phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), lysoPC (LPC), lysoPE (LPE), and phosphatidylinositol (PI) were significantly down-regulated in the obese group. Then, we conducted Venn diagrams and selected 8 significant metabolites from the 3 paired comparisons. Most of the selected features were significantly correlated with the anthropometric measurements. Conclusions: This study demonstrated evidence for a relationship between the eight significant metabolites with obese adolescents. These lipid features may provide a basis for evaluating risk and monitoring the development of obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a novel and noninvasive technique for the quantitative assessment of retinal microvascular perfusion. Since the retinal and cerebral small vessels share similar embryological origins, anatomical features, and physiological properties, altered retinal microvasculature might provide a new perspective on the mechanisms of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). Objective: We aimed to evaluate retinal vessel density (VD) in patients with CSVD using OCTA and identify associations with cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers and cognitive function. Methods: We prospectively recruited 47 CSVD patients and 30 healthy controls (HCs) to participate in the study. All participants underwent OCTA to evaluate retinal microvascular perfusion. The VDs of the macular region in the superficial retinal capillary plexus (SRCP), deep retinal capillary plexus (DRCP), and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) were determined, along with the VD of the optic nerve head (ONH) in the radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) network. Additionally, cerebral MRI and cognitive function tests were performed. Results: In the macula area, the VD of the CSVD patients was significantly lower than HCs in the temporal quadrant of SRCP. In the ONH area, CSVD patients had lower VD than HCs in the peripapillary RPC network. According to multiple linear regression analysis, decreased VD of the macular SRCP was associated with white matter hyperintensity scores after adjustment for age, hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Furthermore, the VD of the macular SRCP was significantly correlated with CSVD patients' cognitive function, especially global cognition, memory function, attention function, information processing, and executive function. Conclusion: OCTA revealed a significant decrease in retinal microvascular perfusion in CSVD patients, and retinal hypoperfusion was related to MRI markers and cognitive function, suggesting that these parameters could have potential utility as early disease biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. Accumulating evidence indicates gut microbiota dysbiosis is involved in metabolic disorders, including prediabetes. The prebiotic inulin has been frequently reported to exert beneficial effects on the host metabolism. Here, we aimed to evaluate whether dietary supplementation with inulin modulates gut microbiota structure in prediabetes, affecting glucose and lipid metabolism. Methods. We performed a prospective single-arm study. A total of 49 subjects with prediabetes (WHO 1999 criteria) were voluntarily enrolled. Each subject received a daily supplement with 15 g of inulin for 6 months. Glucose and lipid metabolic parameters and gut microbiota were analyzed at baseline and at 3 and 6 months after inulin intervention. Intestinal microbiota profile was evaluated using the Illumina MiSeq platform based on V3-V4 bacterial 16S rRNA gene. Results. The mean age of 49 subjects was 56.6 ± 6.9 years and BMI was 25.07 ± 3.02 kg/m2. After 24 weeks of prevention, inulin significantly decreased fasting insulin (2.38 ± 0.50 vs. 2.22 ± 0.62, P = 0.03) and 2-hour post-OGTT insulin (4.01 ± 0.77 vs. 3.74 ± 0.76, P = 0.02) and improved HOMA-IR (1.05 ± 0.53 vs. 0.85 ± 0.66, P = 0.03). Gut microbiota analysis indicated that inulin supplement resulted in an increase in the relative abundance of Actinobacteria, Bifidobacteriales, Bifidobacteriaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Anaerostipes both at 3 and 6 months, while with a decrease in the relative abundance of Alistipes. Spearman correlation analysis revealed altered microbial community was associated with glucose and lipids metabolic parameters. Conclusions. Inulin supplementation improves insulin resistance of prediabetes and exerts beneficial effects on modulating the intestinal microbiota composition. These findings suggest that insulin may be a potentially novel and inexpensive intervention for prediabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Trichomes play a key role in the development of plants and exist in a wide variety of species. Results: In this paper, it was reviewed that the structure and morphology characteristics of trichomes, alongside the biological functions and classical regulatory mechanisms of trichome development in plants. The environment factors, hormones, transcription factor, non-coding RNA, etc., play important roles in regulating the initialization, branching, growth, and development of trichomes. In addition, it was further investigated the atypical regulation mechanism in a non-model plant, found that regulating the growth and development of tea (Camellia sinensis) trichome is mainly affected by hormones and the novel regulation factors. Conclusions: This review further displayed the complex and differential regulatory networks in trichome initiation and development, provided a reference for basic and applied research on trichomes in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Two (Ba, Sr/Sm)(Co, Zr)O 3-δ composites are prepared via a smart co-assembled method. • Two composite show good thermal properties and nanostructure to extend active area. • Two co-assembled composites show excellent cell performance as IT-SOFC cathodes. • The BSmCZ cell shows better oxygen catalysis activity at the intermediate temp range. The cobalt-based perovskites are the most common solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) cathode materials, which generally have the issues of thermal compatibility and performance at the reducing temperature. In this study, two Ba 0.5 (Sm/Sr) 0.5 Co 0.8 Zr 0.2 O 3-δ (BSmCZ/BSrCZ) perovskite composites were synthesized using a smart co-assembled method, which were primarily composed of cubic doped-BaZrO 3 and hexagonal doped-BaCoO 3 perovskites. Both BSmCZ and BSrCZ composites exhibited more suited thermal expansion coefficient (12.8 × 10-6 and 13.9 × 10-6 K−1) to the electrolyte, nanostructure with extensive heterointerfaces and excellent cathode|electrolyte interfaces. Compared to BSrCZ composite, the BSmCZ composite possessed a relatively higher content (65 %) of activated oxygen species and higher electrical conductivity (70.7 S cm−1). The cells with two composite cathodes could achieve the remarkable maximum power density, especially for BSmCZ composite cathode of 2.00–1.11 W∙cm−2 at 800–650 °C. The electrochemical analysis revealed that the BSmCZ composite cathode demonstrated the enhanced surficial oxygen catalysis processes, which could benefit from the active oxygen species and heterointerface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]