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Abstract Clear cell carcinoma (CCC), endometrioid carcinoma (EC), and serous carcinoma (SC) are the major histological subtypes of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), whose differences in carcinogenesis are still unclear. Here, we undertake comprehensive proteomic profiling of 80 CCC, 79 EC, 80 SC, and 30 control samples. Our analysis reveals the prognostic or diagnostic value of dysregulated proteins and phosphorylation sites in important pathways. Moreover, protein co-expression network not only provides comprehensive view of biological features of each histological subtype, but also indicates potential prognostic biomarkers and progression landmarks. Notably, EOC have strong inter-tumor heterogeneity, with significantly different clinical characteristics, proteomic patterns and signaling pathway disorders in CCC, EC, and SC. Finally, we infer MPP7 protein as potential therapeutic target for SC, whose biological functions are confirmed in SC cells. Our proteomic cohort provides valuable resources for understanding molecular mechanisms and developing treatment strategies of distinct histological subtypes.

ABSTRACT: Duck plague (DP) is one of the contagious diseases caused by Duck plague virus (DPV), which is a serious threat to the development of duck farming. Us3 is a PKA-like protein kinase in alphaherpesvirus, which can regulate the biological functions of many viral proteins, but whether Us3 regulates pUL48 protein has not been reported. In this paper, Western Blot, qRT-PCR, dual luciferase reporter system and Co-IP were used to investigate the relationship between pUL48 and Us3. The results showed that: 1) pUL48 interacted with Us3 at 138-256aa through its DBD region. 2) Us3 enhanced the protein expression of pUL48 in a dose-dependent manner. 3) Us3 promoted the mRNA level of pUL48 by activating its promoter activity. 4) Us3 inhibited the transcriptional activation function of pUL48. The results can provide scientific data for perfecting and supplementing the function of alpha herpesvirus Us3 and pUL48.

It is crucial for the advancement of political economics and innovation economics to examine the relationship between income inequality and green innovation (GI). Using the panel fixed effect model, this study investigates the influence of income inequality on GI across 97 countries from 1991 to 2018 and demonstrates a significant non-linear association between the two. The empirical data exhibit an inverted U-shape relationship, suggesting that there is an optimal degree of income inequality that optimizes GI output, and the inflection point of our overall sample is at a Gini coefficient of 0.366. Additionally, we choose a set of robustness tests to validate the results by substituting explained variables, adding omitted variables, and employing the difference and system generalized method of moments (GMM) estimations. Moreover, heterogeneity analysis reveals that the non-linear patterns vary among samples, with the U-shape relationship being more significant in countries with lower income, higher corruption, and weaker government effectiveness. Our findings provide government decision-makers with a crucial reference for maximizing the importance of income distribution in fostering GI and achieving sustainable development. First published online 24 August 2023

Abstract Duck hepatitis A virus type 1 (DHAV-1) is an acute, highly lethal infectious agent that infects ducklings and causes up to 95% mortality in ducklings up to 1 week of age, posing a significant economic threat to the duck farming industry. Previous studies have found that the proteolytic enzyme 3 C encoded by DHAV-1 can inhibit the IRF7 protein from blocking the upstream signaling pathway of the type I interferon to promote viral replication. However, there are still few studies on the mechanism of DHAV-1 in immune evasion. Here, we demonstrate that the DHAV-1 3CD protein can interact with IRF7 protein and reduce IRF7 protein expression without directly affecting IRF7 protein nuclear translocation. Further studies showed that the 3CD protein could reduce the expression of RIG-I protein without affecting its transcription level. Furthermore, we found that the 3CD protein interacted with the N-terminal structural domain of RIG-I protein, interfered with the interaction between RIG-I and MAVS, and degraded RIG-I protein through the proteasomal degradation pathway, thereby inhibiting its mediated antiviral innate immunity to promote DHAV-1 replication. These data suggest a novel immune evasion mechanism of DHAV-1 mediated by the 3CD protein, and the results of this experiment are expected to improve the understanding of the biological functions of the viral precursor protein and provide scientific data to elucidate the mechanism of DHAV-1 infection and pathogenesis.

Abstract The new energy vehicle market has grown rapidly due to the promotion of electric vehicles. Considering the average effective lives and calendar lives of power batteries, the world is gradually ushering in the retirement peak of spent lithium‐ion batteries (SLIBs). Without proper disposal, such a large number of SLIBs can be grievous waste of resources and serious pollution for the environment. This review provides a systematic overview of current solutions for SLIBs recycling, ranging from battery failure assessment, disassembly, and component separation to derived material recovery and reuse. In this review, several pretreatment methods for SLIBs are introduced. Subsequently, novel recovery and reuse processes are discussed to develop sustainable and efficient recycling processes. Finally, different scientific approaches are investigated, aiming at promoting the transformation of the SLIBs recycling industry to a circular economy. Based on this review, it is possible to improve existing processes or develop sustainable environmentally friendly and efficient alternative processes for recycling end‐of‐life batteries.

Abstract An alphaherpesvirus carries dozens of viral proteins in the envelope, tegument and capsid structure, and each protein plays an indispensable role in virus adsorption, invasion, uncoating and release. After infecting the host, a virus eliminates unfavourable factors via multiple mechanisms to escape or suppress the attack of the host immune system. Post-translational modification of proteins, especially phosphorylation, regulates changes in protein conformation and biological activity through a series of complex mechanisms. Many viruses have evolved mechanisms to leverage host phosphorylation systems to regulate viral protein activity and establish a suitable cellular environment for efficient viral replication and virulence. In this paper, viral protein kinases and the regulation of viral protein function mediated via the phosphorylation of alphaherpesvirus proteins are described. In addition, this paper provides new ideas for further research into the role played by the post-translational modification of viral proteins in the virus life cycle, which will be helpful for understanding the mechanisms of viral infection of a host and may lead to new directions of antiviral treatment.

Abstract Based on the favorable ionic conductivity and structural stability, sodium superionic conductor (NASICON) materials especially utilizing multivalent redox reaction of vanadium are one of the most promising cathodes in sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). To further boost their application in large‐scale energy storage production, a rational strategy is to tailor vanadium with earth‐abundant and cheap elements (such as Fe, Mn), reducing the cost and toxicity of vanadium‐based NASICON materials. Here, the Na3.05V1.03Fe0.97(PO4)3 (NVFP) is synthesized with highly conductive Ketjen Black (KB) by ball‐milling assisted sol‐gel method. The pearl‐like KB branch chains encircle the NVFP (p‐NVFP), the segregated particles possess promoted overall conductivity, balanced charge, and modulated crystal structure during electrochemical progress. The p‐NVFP obtains significantly enhanced ion diffusion ability and low volume change (2.99%). Meanwhile, it delivers a durable cycling performance (87.7% capacity retention over 5000 cycles at 5 C) in half cells. Surprisingly, the full cells of p‐NVFP reveal a remarkable capability of 84.9 mAh g−1 at 20 C with good cycling performance (capacity decay rate is 0.016% per cycle at 2 C). The structure modulation of the p‐NVFP provides a rational design on the superiority of others to be put into practice.

Abstract The accelerating electrification has sparked an explosion in lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) consumption. As the lifespan declines, the substantial LIBs will flow into the recycling market and promise to spawn a giant recycling system. Nonetheless, since the lack of unified guiding standard and nontraceability, the recycling of end‐of‐life LIBs has fallen into the dilemma of low recycling rate, poor recycling efficiency, and insignificant benefits. Herein, tapping into summarizing and analyzing the current status and challenges of recycling LIBs, this outlook provides insights for the future course of full lifecycle management of LIBs, proposing gradient utilization and recycling‐target predesign strategy. Further, we acknowledge some recommendations for recycling waste LIBs and anticipate a collaborative effort to advance sustainable and reliable recycling routes.

Epidemics and their resulting pandemics have become essential factors influencing economic development, financial stability, poverty, and ultimately a country’s innovation level, including green technology innovation. This research thus investigates epidemic events’ correlation to green innovation by operating with skewed panel data involving 134 countries from 1971 to 2018 and provides compelling proof that Epidemics have a detrimental effect on green innovation, not only for the current year but also for the next six years. We also show that the quality of institutions and financial development levels weaken epidemics’ detrimental effects on green innovation. Overall, the findings would draw particular attention from policymakers. First published online 17 April 2023

The amount of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is constantly increasing as their popularity grows. It is important to develop a recycling method that cannot only convert large amounts of waste anode graphite into high value-added products but is also simple and environmentally friendly. In this work, spent graphite from an anode was transformed into a cathode for dual-ion batteries (DIBs) through a two-step treatment. This method enables the crystal structure and morphology of spent graphite to recover from the adverse effects of long cycling and be restored to a regular layered structure with appropriate layer spacing for anion intercalation. In addition, pyrolysis of the solid electrolyte interphase into an amorphous carbon layer prevents the electrode from degrading and improves its cycling performance. The recycled negative graphite has a high reversible capacity of 87 mAh g−1 at 200 ​mA ​g−1, and its rate performance when used as a cathode in DIBs is comparable to that of commercial graphite. This simple recycling idea turns spent anode graphite into a cathode material with attractive potential and superior electrochemical performance, genuinely achieving sustainable energy use. It also provides a new method for recovering exhausted batteries.

Upon infection, the herpes viruses create a cellular environment suitable for survival, but innate immunity plays a vital role in cellular resistance to viral infection. The UL13 protein of herpesviruses is conserved among all herpesviruses and is a serine/threonine protein kinase, which plays a vital role in escaping innate immunity and promoting viral replication. On the one hand, it can target various immune signaling pathways in vivo, such as the cGAS-STING pathway and the NF-κB pathway. On the other hand, it phosphorylates regulatory many cellular and viral proteins for promoting the lytic cycle. This paper reviews the research progress of the conserved herpesvirus protein kinase UL13 in immune escape and viral replication to provide a basis for elucidating the pathogenic mechanism of herpesviruses, as well as providing insights into the potential means of immune escape and viral replication of other herpesviruses that have not yet resolved the function of it.

This research examines the impact of economic policy uncertainty (EPU) on green innovation by using the panel fixed effects model from 2000 to 2017 for the samples of 31 provinces in China. The general conclusion is that there exists a positive link from EPU to green innovation, and that the impact of EPU varies significantly among different provinces that have diverse levels of marketization and trade openness. Specifically, provinces with higher marketization and degrees of trade openness have witnessed stronger positive effects from EPU on green innovation, whereas the correlation is rather weak in regions with low levels of those two factors. Our findings serve as a research reference for how governments may boost green innovation in the face of increasing EPU. First published online 25 November 2022

Since China is facing a complicated international situation and sustainable development requirement at the same time, this paper examines the effects of external uncertainty, international sanctions, on green innovations by adopting the system generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation for 30 provinces (autonomous region and municipalities) from 1997 to 2019. We employ green inventions as the dependent variable and 5 indicators of sanctions (including unilateral, plurilateral, multilateral, economic, and intensity) as the main explanatory variables alternately. For further robustness tests, we use substitution variable green utility models, adopt sub-samples in different regions, change the empirical methodology, and add omitted variables. We also examine the mechanism effects of three possible channels. The conclusion is that plurilateral and economic sanctions both present significant negative impacts on green innovations, whereas China was not affected by unilateral or multilateral sanctions during the sample period. GDP, interpersonal globalization, and environment are proved to be the possible channels through which sanctions affect green innovations. Our research findings should assist Chinese-listed companies suffering from sanctions to make better responses on their way to green innovations. First published online 24 November 2022

Duck plague caused by duck plague virus (DPV) is a highly contagious disease that can cause serious morbidity and death in waterfowl such as ducks and geese, and bring huge economic losses to the duck industry. In this study, on the basis of the duck plague virus gC gene deletion strain CHv-ΔgC, based on the duck plague virus bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) platform in our laboratory, the gE gene was knocked out using the traceless deletion technology to obtain gC/gE double gene deletion candidate vaccine strain CHv-ΔgC/gE. The double gene deletion strain (CHv-ΔgC/gE) constructed in this study has greatly weakened virulence, no pathogenicity to ducks, and stable genetic characteristics in vitro and in vivo. Ducks immunized with CHv-ΔgC/gE can produce neutralizing antibodies and ELISA antibody levels comparable to those of commercial duck plague attenuated vaccine immunization, and can resist 100 LD50 CHv challenge of ducks, with good immune protection effect. It has the potential to be further developed into duck plague gC/gE double gene deletion, marked attenuated vaccine.

Abstract As a cathode for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs), Na3V2(PO4)2F3 (NVPF) with 3D open framework is a promising candidate due to its high working voltage and large theoretical capacity. However, the severe capacity degradation and poor rate capability hinder its practical applications. The present study demonstrated the optimization of Na‐storage performance of NVPF via delicate lattice modulation. Aliovalent substitution of V3+ at Na+ in NVPF induces the generation of electronic defects and expansion of Na+‐migration channels, resulting in the enhancement in electronic conductivity and acceleration of Na+‐migration kinetics. It is disclosed that the formed stronger NaO bonds with high ionicity than VO bonds lead to the significant increase in structural stability and ionicity in the Na+‐substituted NVPF (NVPF‐Nax). The aforementioned effects of Na+ substitution achieve the unprecedented electrochemical performance in the optimized Na3.14V1.93Na0.07(PO4)2F3 (NVPF‐Na0.07). As a result, NVPF‐Na0.07 delivers a high‐rate capability (77.5 mAh g−1 at 20 C) and ultralong cycle life (only 0.027% capacity decay per cycle over 1000 cycles at 10 C). Sodium‐ion full cells are designed using NVPF‐Na0.07 as cathode and Se@reduced graphene oxide as anode. The full cells exhibit excellent wide‐temperature electrochemical performance from −25 to 25°C with an outstanding rate capability (96.3 mAh g−1 at 20 C). Furthermore, it delivered an excellent cycling performance over 300 cycles with a capacity retention exceeding 90% at 0.5 C under different temperatures. This study demonstrates a feasible strategy for the development of advanced cathode materials with excellent electrochemical properties to achieve high‐efficiency energy storage.

Viroporins are virally encoded transmembrane proteins that are essential for viral pathogenicity and can participate in various stages of the viral life cycle, thereby promoting viral proliferation. Viroporins have multifaceted effects on host cell biological functions, including altering cell membrane permeability, triggering inflammasome formation, inducing apoptosis and autophagy, and evading immune responses, thereby ensuring that the virus completes its life cycle. Viroporins are also virulence factors, and their complete or partial deletion often reduces virion release and reduces viral pathogenicity, highlighting the important role of these proteins in the viral life cycle. Thus, viroporins represent a common drug-protein target for inhibiting drugs and the development of antiviral therapies. This article reviews current studies on the functions of viroporins in the viral life cycle and their regulation of host cell responses, with the aim of improving the understanding of this growing family of viral proteins.

Abstract Duck enteritis virus (DEV) is a member of the Alphaherpesvirinae subfamily. The characteristics of some DEV genes have been reported. However, information regarding the DEV UL47 gene is limited. In this study, we identified the DEV UL47 gene encoding a late structural protein located in the nucleus of infected cells. We further found that two domains of DEV pUL47, amino acids (aa) 40 to 50 and 768 to 777, could function as nuclear localization sequence (NLS) to guide the nuclear localization of pUL47 and nuclear translocation of heterologous proteins, including enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and beta-galactosidase (β-Gal). Moreover, pUL47 significantly inhibited polyriboinosinic:polyribocytidylic acid [poly(I:C)]-induced interferon beta (IFN-β) production and downregulated interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) expression, such as Mx and oligoadenylate synthetase-like (OASL), by interacting with signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT1).

Recombinant virus-vectored vaccines are novel agents that can effectively activate specific and nonspecific immunity, are multivalent and multieffective, and have high safety ratings. Animal alphaherpesviruses have a large genome, contain multiple nonessential regions that do not affect viral replication and are capable of accepting the insertion of an exogenous gene and expressing the antigen protein. Furthermore, animal alphaherpesviruses have a wide host spectrum, can replicate in the host and continuously stimulate the animal to produce immunity to the corresponding pathogen, thus making them ideal carriers for recombinant virus-vectored vaccines. With the development of gene-editing technology, recombinant viruses capable of expressing foreign genes can be constructed by various methods. Currently, studies on recombinant virus-vectored vaccines constructed based on animal alphaherpesviruses have involved poultry, pigs, cattle, sheep, and companion animals. Studies have shown that the construction of recombinant animal alphaherpesviruses enables the acquisition of immunity to multiple diseases. This article mainly summarizes the current progress on animal alphaherpesvirus-vectored vaccines, aiming to provide reference for the development of new animal alphaherpesvirus-vectored vaccines.

Abstract Background eIF2α is a regulatory node that controls protein synthesis initiation by its phosphorylation or dephosphorylation. General control nonderepressible-2 (GCN2), protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-dependent protein kinase (PKR) and heme-regulated inhibitor (HRI) are four kinases that regulate eIF2α phosphorylation. Main body In the viral infection process, dsRNA or viral proteins produced by viral proliferation activate different eIF2α kinases, resulting in eIF2α phosphorylation, which hinders ternary tRNAMet-GTP-eIF2 complex formation and inhibits host or viral protein synthesis. The stalled messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) complex aggregates under viral infection stress to form stress granules (SGs), which encapsulate viral RNA and transcription- and translation-related proteins, thereby limiting virus proliferation. However, many viruses have evolved a corresponding escape mechanism to synthesize their own proteins in the event of host protein synthesis shutdown and SG formation caused by eIF2α phosphorylation, and viruses can block the cell replication cycle through the PERK-eIF2α pathway, providing a favorable environment for their own replication. Subsequently, viruses can induce host cell autophagy or apoptosis through the eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP pathway. Conclusions This review summarizes the role of eIF2α in viral infection to provide a reference for studying the interactions between viruses and hosts.

Abstract Background Host shutoff refers to the widespread downregulation of host gene expression and has emerged as a key process that facilitates the reallocation of cellular resources for viral replication and evasion of host antiviral immune responses. Main body The Herpesviridae family uses a number of proteins that are responsible for host shutoff by directly targeting messenger RNA (mRNA), including virion host shutoff (VHS) protein and the immediate-early regulatory protein ICP27 of herpes simplex virus types 1 (HSV-1) and the SOX (shutoff and exonuclease) protein and its homologs in Gammaherpesvirinae subfamilies, although these proteins are not homologous. In this review, we highlight evidence that host shutoff is promoted by the VHS, ICP27 and SOX-like proteins and that they also contribute to immune evasion. Conclusions Further studies regarding the host shutoff proteins will not only contribute to provide new insights into the viral replication, expression and host immune evasion process, but also provide new molecular targets for the development of antiviral drugs and therapies.

Duck plague virus (DPV) can cause high morbidity and mortality in many waterfowl species within the order Anseriformes. The DPV genome contains 78 open reading frames (ORFs), among which the LORF2, LORF3, LORF4, LORF5, and SORF3 genes are unique genes of avian herpesvirus. In this study, to investigate the role of this unique LORF5 gene in DPV proliferation, we generated a recombinant virus that lacks the LORF5 gene by a two-step red recombination system, which cloned the DPV Chinese virulent strain (DPV CHv) genome into a bacterial artificial chromosome (DPV CHv-BAC); the proliferation law of LORF5-deleted mutant virus on DEF cells and the effect of LORF5 gene on the life cycle stages of DPV compared with the parent strain were tested. Our data revealed that the LORF5 gene contributes to the cell-to-cell transmission of DPV but is not relevant to virus invasion, replication, assembly, and release formation. Taken together, this study sheds light on the role of the avian herpesvirus-specific gene LORF5 in the DPV proliferation life cycle. These findings lay the foundation for in-depth functional studies of the LORF5 gene in DPV or other avian herpesviruses.

Duck plague caused by the duck plague virus (DPV) is an infectious disease that seriously harms the waterfowl breeding industry. The VP16 protein of α herpesvirus can bind to specific cis-acting elements upstream of the promoter of the immediate-early (IE, α) gene to promote the transcription of the IE gene, so it is also called the trans-inducer of IE gene (α-TIF). However, no studies on DPV α-TIF have been reported. This study investigated the DPV pUL48, a homolog of HSV-1 VP16, transcriptional activation region, target sequence, and viral protein affecting its transcriptional activation using a dual-luciferase reporter gene detection system, and pUL48 was identified as the α-TIF of DPV. (1) The regulation of pUL48 on DPV different gene promoters showed that pUL48 could activate all the promoters of IE genes (ICP4, ICP22, and ICP27) but not the promoters of early and late genes. (2) The activity of pUL48 to ICP4 and ICP22 promoters with different upstream lengths showed that pUL48 activated ICP4 and ICP22 promoters by acting on TAATGA (T) TAT element upstream of ICP4 promoter and TAATTATAT element upstream of ICP22 promoter, respectively. (3) Transcriptional activation of IE gene by truncated proteins of different lengths at the N-terminal of pUL48 was detected. The results showed that the transcriptional activation domain of pUL48 was amino acids 1–60 at the N-terminal, and amino acids 1–20 was its core region. In addition, it was found that pUL14, pUL46, and pUL47 significantly promoted the transcriptional activation of pUL48. The effects of loss of pUL47 and its nuclear localization signal on the nuclear entry and transcriptional activation function of pUL48 were further examined. The results showed that pUL47 could promote the nuclear entry of pUL48 through its nuclear localization signal at positions 40–50 and 768–777 amino acids, thus, enhancing the transcriptional activation function of pUL48 and synergistic promotion of viral gene transcription.

Summary: The development of high-performance cathodes for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) is one key issue required for the success of large-scale energy storage systems. In addition to performance degradation during cycling, electrode materials are usually hampered by instability when stored in various environments severely restricting their practical application. Here, we report a stable cathode material that shows no obvious capacity attenuation in various storage conditions. The cathode is composed of regular and homogeneous Na3V2(PO4)2O2F0.99Cl0.01 (NVPFCl) microcubes, with electrochemical properties, including high specific capacity (128.2 mA h g-1 at 0.1 C), excellent rate capability (79.8 mA h g-1 at 20 C), long-term cycle life, and all-climate performance. Studies using in/ex situ characterization and electrode kinetics are implemented to reveal the possible reasons for the stability and electrochemical activity of NVPFCl. This work may provide a pathway for the development of all-climate and storage-stable SIB cathode materials.

Duck hepatitis A virus (DHAV), which mainly infects 1- to 4-week-old ducklings, has a fatality rate of 95% and poses a huge economic threat to the duck industry. However, the mechanism by which DHAV-1 regulates the immune response of host cells is rarely reported. This study examined whether DHAV-1 contains a viral protein that can regulate the innate immunity of host cells and its specific regulatory mechanism, further exploring the mechanism by which DHAV-1 resists the host immune response. In the study, the dual-luciferase reporter gene system was used to screen the viral protein that regulates the host innate immunity and the target of this viral protein. The results indicate that the DHAV-1 3C protein inhibits the pathway upstream of interferon (IFN)-β by targeting the interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) protein. In addition, we found that the 3C protein inhibits the nuclear translocation of the IRF7 protein. Further experiments showed that the 3C protein interacts with the IRF7 protein through its N-terminus and that the 3C protein degrades the IRF7 protein in a caspase 3-dependent manner, thereby inhibiting the IFN-β-mediated antiviral response to promote the replication of DHAV-1. The results of this study are expected to serve as a reference for elucidating the mechanisms of DHAV-1 infection and pathogenicity.

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is a common vegetable, widely consumed all over the world. Onion contains diverse phytochemicals, including organosulfur compounds, phenolic compounds, polysaccharides, and saponins. The phenolic and sulfur-containing compounds, including onionin A, cysteine sulfoxides, quercetin, and quercetin glucosides, are the major bioactive constituents of onion. Accumulated studies have revealed that onion and its bioactive compounds possess various health functions, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anticancer, cardiovascular protective, neuroprotective, hepatorenal protective, respiratory protective, digestive system protective, reproductive protective, and immunomodulatory properties. Herein, the main bioactive compounds in onion are summarized, followed by intensively discussing its major health functions as well as relevant molecular mechanisms. Moreover, the potential safety concerns about onion contamination and the ways to mitigate these issues are also discussed. We hope that this paper can attract broader attention to onion and its bioactive compounds, which are promising ingredients in the development of functional foods and nutraceuticals for preventing and managing certain chronic diseases.

Abstract Background Pain is one of the most common symptoms that has a severe impact on quality of life and is associated with numerous psychosocial issues in cancer patients. Palliative care, which is a recent development in China, mainly focuses on symptom control and provides psychosocial support in order to improve quality of life for terminally ill patients. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of palliative care on cancer pain in China. Methods The four most comprehensive Chinese academic databases-CNKI, Wanfang, Vip and CBM-were searched from their inception until July 2019. Medline/PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO and internet search (Google and Google Scholar) were also searched. Randomized controlled studies assessing the effects of palliative care on cancer pain were analyzed. The pooled random-effect estimates of standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Subgroup analysis was conducted by moderating factors for heterogeneity. Results The present meta-analysis included 18 studies with a total of 1370 patients. The random-effect model showed a significant effect size of palliative care on cancer pain (SMD = 1.475, p

In order to reduce the effect of delayed fracture of high-strength bolts on train operation and structural safety, a non-destructive testing method for axial force of high-strength bolts in railway steel bridges is studied to identify and replace over-twisted bolts in time, so as to reduce the probability of delayed fracture caused by external factors. Based on the acoustic-elastic effect theory, considering the uneven internal stress distribution of bolts in service, in this paper, the bolt force area is differentiated into three regions: the nut, the screw and the thread; the author calculates the ultrasonic flight-time in different bolt stress areas and revises the impact of bolt elastic deformation and temperature by external force on sound speed and puts forward a more precise measurement method of axial force of bolt in service. According to the results of the test, the relative error between the ultrasonic measurement result and the displayed value of pressure sensor is less than 10%.

Enterovirus infection can cause a variety of diseases and severely impair the health of humans, animals, poultry, and other organisms. To resist viral infection, host organisms clear infected cells and viruses via apoptosis. However, throughout their long-term competition with host cells, enteroviruses have evolved a series of mechanisms to regulate the balance of apoptosis in order to replicate and proliferate. In the early stage of infection, enteroviruses mainly inhibit apoptosis by regulating the PI3K/Akt pathway and the autophagy pathway and by impairing cell sensors, thereby delaying viral replication. In the late stage of infection, enteroviruses mainly regulate apoptotic pathways and the host translation process via various viral proteins, ultimately inducing apoptosis. This paper discusses the means by which these two phenomena are balanced in enteroviruses to produce virus-favoring conditions – in a temporal sequence or through competition with each other. This information is important for further elucidation of the relevant mechanisms of acute infection by enteroviruses and other members of the picornavirus family.

The fluorophosphate NaVPO4F (NVPF) is a good candidate of cathode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to its high theoretical specific capacity, high working voltage and stable structure. However, due to the low electronic conductivity of NVPF, its electrochemical properties are difficult to demonstrate. In order to address the insufficient and then enhance its electrochemical performance, a 3D carbon networks constructed NaVPO4F/C/rGO (NVPF/C/rGO) nanocomposite is prepared by freeze-drying assisted high-temperature solid-state method. When used as a cathode material for SIBs, the prepared NVPF/C/rGO can deliver a capacity of about 108.7 mA h g−1 at 0.05 C. Moreover, NVPF/C/rGO nanocomposite also exhibits the excellent electrochemical performance, including superior rate capacities (about 65.8 mA h g−1 specific capacity at 10 C) and outstanding cycling performance (~95.1% capacity retention after 200 cycles at 0.05 C), which can be attribute to the 3D carbon networks and the nanoparticles in NVPF/C/rGO nanocomposite. The preliminary results illustrate that the 3D carbon networks constructed NVPF/C/rGO could be a promising cathode material for SIBs.

Heavy dump vehicles are usually working with big load changes and bad work environment, thus change the friction performance of transmission clutches, as well as great affect the shift quality seriously, which influence the vehicle performance. Many researchers developed a lot to design a useful automatic transmission control system. Using PID tracking control and Monte Carlo method, the controller based on an dynamic model was set up to analyze the shifting process of automatic transmission and its robustness in this paper．The shift process was divided into four stages, low-gear phase, torque phase, inertia phase and high-gear phase. The model presents the process from the first gear to the second gear when the torque has big change．Since the jerk and the friction work of clutch are both related to the speed of clutch which was easier to control, it was chose as the target to control the oil pressure for satisfying the requirement of shift quality．The simulation software, Maplesim and Simulink, were used to build the vehicle model and shifting controller for simulation under different working conditions, and the maximum jerk was changed from 34 m/s3 to 12 m/s3 after the optimization. In this paper the Monte Carlo has been used to quantize and evaluate the robustness of the closed-loop system for the friction coefficients and output torque of turbine variation leading by the friction feature parameters and throttle angle changed. Monte Carlo method was used to analyze the effectiveness and robustness of PID controller, which proves that it has good control effect when the throttle is ongoing minor fluctuations. When the throttle is full opening, a quadratic optimal controller based on disturbance is designed by the method of multi-objective optimization. When it changes within 20 percent, PID controller was designed under the guidance of tracking thoughts. The results also show that the controller could still obtain better effect when the friction coefficient ranged from -40 % to 40 % as well as engine torque changed from -20 % to 20 %, which indicates the robustness of controller.

Duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) shares many basic characteristics with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and is an attractive model for vaccine development. In this study, DHBV DNA vaccines were designed to express envelope and capsid fusion proteins to enhance the breadth of immune response in ducks. Attenuated Salmonella typhimurium (SL7207) was used as a carrier and adjuvant to boost the magnitude of immune response. Based on this strategy, novel DNA vaccines (SL7207-pVAX1-LC and SL7207-pVAX1-SC) were generated. Growth kinetics, genetic stabilities and relative transcription levels of the L, S and C genes introduced by these vaccine strains were measured before inoculation to guarantee safety and efficacy. The relative transcript levels of the CD4 and CD8 T genes and the antibody levels (IgY) in ducks receiving the vaccines were higher than those in single gene delivered groups. Additionally, the copy number of covalently closed circular DNA in hepatocytes after DHBV challenge also provided evidence that our fusion vaccines could enhance the protective efficiency against DHBV infection in ducks.

The capsid (Cap) protein, which is the only structural protein of duck circovirus (DuCV), is the most important antigen for the development of vaccines against DuCV and the virus's serological diagnostic methods. In order to use yeast expression system to produce a large quantities of DuCV Cap protein which is close to its natural form to display the antigen peptides perfectly, the Cap gene was optimized into the codon-optimized capsid (Opt-Cap) gene towards the preference of yeast firstly. Then, the genes of Cap and Opt-Cap were separately cloned into pPIC9K plasmid and transformed into Picha pastoris GS115. The strains that displayed the phenotype of Mut+ and contained multiple inserts of expression cassette were selected from those colonies. After the induction expression, the secretory type of Cap protein, which was about 43 kDa, was best expressed under 0.5% (v/v) methanol and sorbitol induction. Compared with the Cap gene, the expression level of Opt-Cap gene was much higher. What's more, the purified Cap protein had a good reactivity to its specific polyclone antibody and DuCV-positive serum, and it was able to self-assemble into virus-like particles (VLPs). These VLPs, with a diameter of 15–20 nm and without a nucleic acid structure, showed a high level of similarity to DuCV particles in size and shape. All of the results demonstrated that, based on the codon-optimization, it is suitable to use the P. pastoris expression system to produce DuCV VLPs on a large scale. It is the first time that a large amounts of DuCV VLPs were produced successfully in P. pastoris, which might be particularly useful for the further studies of serological diagnosis and vaccines of DuCV.

Duck hepatitis A virus type 1 (DHAV-1) is one of the most lethal pathogens in the duck industry. The attenuated vaccine (the CH60 strain) is cultivated through serial passage in chicken embryos and is widely used for the prevention and control of the disease. However, the specific mechanism underlying its adaptation in chicken embryos has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we first infected chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEFs) with the DHAV-1 CH60 strain. The peak of viral proliferation occurred within 36–48 h post-infection. The different DHAV-1 strains significantly induced the expression of IFNα, IFNγ, and Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) in CEFs, and we found that SOCS3 overexpression significantly promoted viral replication. Furthermore, SOCS3 overexpression significantly inhibited the expression of IFNα but promoted the expression of IFNγ. In addition, SOCS3 overexpression clearly decreased the mRNA levels of STAT1 and STAT3 in the Janus kinase (JAK)-STAT signaling pathway and inhibited the expression of the antiviral proteins MX1 and OASL. Immune-precipitation assays indicated that SOCS3 and IFNα do not physically interact. Subcellular localization of SOCS3 and IFNα revealed that SOCS3 was mainly located in the nucleus and cytoplasm, while IFNα was located only in the cytoplasm. Co-localization of these two proteins was not observed in the cytoplasm. In conclusion, the DHAV-1 CH60 strain may inhibit the expression of IFNα by increasing the SOCS3 protein and SOCS3 can in turn decrease STAT1 and STAT3 mRNA levels, thereby inhibiting the antiviral protein MX1 and ultimately promoting viral proliferation, indirectly assisting in viral adaptation in chicken embryos.

Duck hepatitis A virus type 1 (DHAV-1) is one of the most common and lethal pathogens in young ducklings. Live-attenuated DHAV vaccine (CH60 strain) developed by passaging in chicken embryos provided effective immune protection for ducklings. However, the accurate mechanism for such adaption in chicken embryos is not fully revealed. Here, we utilize RNA-sequencing to perform global transcriptional analysis of DHAV-1-innoculated embryonated livers along with histopathological and ultrastructural analysis. This study revealed that infection with DHAV-1 strain CH60 is associated with enhanced type I and II interferon responses, activated innate immune responses, elevated levels of suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 and 3 (SOCS1 and SOCS3) accompanied with abnormalities in multiple metabolic pathways. Excessive inflammatory and innate immune responses induced by the CH60 strain are related to severe liver damage. Our study presents a comprehensive characterization of the transcriptome of chicken embryos infected with DHAV-CH60 and provides insight for in-depth exploration of viral adaption and virus–host interactions.

To investigate tetracycline resistance and resistant genotype in Riemerella anatipestifer, the tetracycline susceptibility of 212 R. anatipestifer isolates from China between 2011 and 2017 was tested. The results showed that 192 of 212 (90.6%) R. anatipestifer isolates exhibited resistance to tetracycline (the MICs ranged from 4 to 256 μg/ml). The results of PCR detection showed that, 170 of 212 (80.2%) R. anatipestifer isolates possessed the tet(X) gene. Other genes, including tet(A), tet(M), tet(Q), tet(O), tet(B), and tet(O/W/32/O), were found at frequencies of 20.8, 4.7, 1.4, 0.9, 0.9, and 0.5%, respectively. However, tet(C), tet(E), tet(G), tet(K), and tet(W) were not detected in any isolate. In these tet gene positive strains, 31 (14.6%), 2 (0.9%), 5 (2.4%), 1 (0.5%), 3 (1.4%) were detected containing tet(A)/tet(X), tet(M)/tet(O), tet(M)/tet(X), tet(O)/tet(X), and tet(Q)/tet(X) simultaneously, respectively. One isolates, R131, unexpectedly contained three tet genes, i.e., tet(M), tet(O), and tet(X). Sequence analysis of the tet gene ORFs cloned from R. anatipestifer isolates confirmed that tet(A), tet(B), tet(M), tet(O), tet(Q) and an unusual mosaic tet gene tet(O/W/32/O) were present in R. anatipestifer. The MIC results of R. anatipestifer ATCC 11845 transconjugants carrying tet(A), tet(B), tet(M), tet(O), tet(O/W/32/O), tet(Q), and tet(X) genes exhibited tetracycline resistance with MIC values ranging from 4 to 64 μg/ml. Additionally, the tet(X) gene could transfer into susceptible strain via natural transformation (transformation frequencies of ~10−6). In conclusion, the tet(A), tet(B), tet(M), tet(O), tet(O/W/32/O), tet(Q), and tet(X) genes were found and conferred tetracycline resistance in R. anatipestifer isolates. Moreover, the tet(X) is the main mechanism of tetracycline resistance in R. anatipestifer isolates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of tet(A), tet(B), tet(M), tet(O), tet(Q), and mosaic gene tet(O/W/32/O) in R. anatipestifer.

Riemerella anatipestifer is an important pathogenic bacterium that infects ducks. It exhibits resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics. Multidrug efflux pumps play a major role as a mechanism of antimicrobial resistance in Gram-negative pathogens and they are poorly understood in R. anatipestifer. In this study, a gene encoding the B739_0873 protein in R. anatipestifer CH-1, which belongs to the resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND) efflux pump family, was identified. With respect to the substrate specificity of B739_0873, the antibiotic susceptibility testing showed that the B739_0873 knockout strain was more sensitive to aminoglycosides and detergents than the wild-type strain. The transcription of B739_0873 was up-regulated when R. anatipestifer CH-1 was exposed to sub-inhibitory levels of these substrates. From the gentamicin accumulation assay, we concluded that B739_0873 was coupled to the proton motive force to pump out gentamicin. Furthermore, site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that Asp 400, Asp 401, Lys 929, Arg 959, and Thr 966 were the crucial function sites of B739_0873 in terms of its ability to extrude aminoglycosides and detergents. Finally, we provided evidence that B739_0873 is co-transcribed with B739_0872, and that both B739_0872 and B739_0873 are required for aminoglycoside and detergent resistance. In view of these results, we designate B739_0873 as RaeB (Riemerella anatipestifer efflux).

Among the few non-structural proteins encoded by the picornaviral genome, the 2A protein is particularly special, irrespective of structure or function. During the evolution of the Picornaviridae family, the 2A protein has been highly non-conserved. We believe that the 2A protein in this family can be classified into at least five distinct types according to previous studies. These five types are (A) chymotrypsin-like 2A, (B) Parechovirus-like 2A, (C) hepatitis-A-virus-like 2A, (D) Aphthovirus-like 2A, and (E) 2A sequence of the genus Cardiovirus. We carried out a phylogenetic analysis and found that there was almost no homology between each type. Subsequently, we aligned the sequences within each type and found that the functional motifs in each type are highly conserved. These different motifs perform different functions. Therefore, in this review, we introduce the structures and functions of these five types of 2As separately. Based on the structures and functions, we provide suggestions to combat picornaviruses. The complexity and diversity of the 2A protein has caused great difficulties in functional and antiviral research. In this review, researchers can find useful information on the 2A protein and thus conduct improved antiviral research.

BACKGROUNDMany published data on the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ESR1 gene and prostate cancer susceptibility are inconclusive. The aim of this Human Genome Epidemiology (HuGE) review and meta-analysis is to derive a more precise estimation of this relationship.METHODSA literature search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Chinese Biomedical (CBM) databases was conducted from their inception through July 1st, 2012. Crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the strength of association.RESULTSTwelve case-control studies were included with a total 2,165 prostate cancer cases and 3,361 healthy controls. When all the eligible studies were pooled into the meta-analysis, ESR1 PvuII (C>T) and XbaI (A>G) polymorphisms showed no association with the risk of prostate cancer. However, in the stratified analyses based on ethnicity and country, the results indicated that ESR1 PvuII (C>T) polymorphism was significantly associated with increased risk of prostate cancer among Asian populations, especially among Indian population; while ESR1 XbaI (A>G) polymorphism may significantly increase the risk of prostate cancer among American population. Furthermore, we also performed a pooled analysis for all eligible case-control studies to explore the role of codon 10 (T>C), codon 325 (C>G), codon 594 (G>A) and +261G>C polymorphisms in prostate cancer risk. Nevertheless, no significant associations between these polymorphisms and the risk of prostate cancer were observed.CONCLUSIONResults from the current meta-analysis indicate that ESR1 PvuII (C>T) polymorphism may be a risk factor for prostate cancer among Asian populations, especially among Indian population; while ESR1 XbaI (A>G) polymorphism may increase the risk of prostate cancer among American population.

It is crucial for the advancement of political economics and innovation economics to examine the relationship between income inequality and green innovation (GI). Using the panel fixed effect model, this study investigates the influence of income inequality on GI across 97 countries from 1991 to 2018 and demonstrates a significant non-linear association between the two. The empirical data exhibit an inverted U-shape relationship, suggesting that there is an optimal degree of income inequality that optimizes GI output, and the inflection point of our overall sample is at a Gini coefficient of 0.366. Additionally, we choose a set of robustness tests to validate the results by substituting explained variables, adding omitted variables, and employing the difference and system generalized method of moments (GMM) estimations. Moreover, heterogeneity analysis reveals that the non-linear patterns vary among samples, with the U-shape relationship being more significant in countries with lower income, higher corruption, and weaker government effectiveness. Our findings provide government decision-makers with a crucial reference for maximizing the importance of income distribution in fostering GI and achieving sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidemics and their resulting pandemics have become essential factors influencing economic development, financial stability, poverty, and ultimately a country's innovation level, including green technology innovation. This research thus investigates epidemic events' correlation to green innovation by operating with skewed panel data involving 134 countries from 1971 to 2018 and provides compelling proof that Epidemics have a detrimental effect on green innovation, not only for the current year but also for the next six years. We also show that the quality of institutions and financial development levels weaken epidemics' detrimental effects on green innovation. Overall, the findings would draw particular attention from policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]