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Abstract Background Deletion or duplication in the DMD gene is one of the most common causes of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD). However, the pathogenicity of complex rearrangements involving DMD, especially segmental duplications with unknown breakpoints, is not well understood. This study aimed to evaluate the structure, pattern, and potential impact of rearrangements involving DMD duplication. Methods Two families with DMD segmental duplications exhibiting phenotypical differences were recruited. Optical genome mapping (OGM) was used to explore the cryptic pattern of the rearrangements. Breakpoints were validated using long-range polymerase chain reaction combined with next-generation sequencing and Sanger sequencing. Results A multi-copy duplication involving exons 64–79 of DMD was identified in Family A without obvious clinical symptoms. Family B exhibited typical DMD neuromuscular manifestations and presented a duplication involving exons 10–13 of DMD. The rearrangement in Family A involved complex in-cis tandem repeats shown by OGM but retained a complete copy (reading frame) of DMD inferred from breakpoint validation. A reversed insertion with a segmental repeat was identified in Family B by OGM, which was predicted to disrupt the normal structure and reading frame of DMD after confirming the breakpoints. Conclusions Validating breakpoint and rearrangement pattern is crucial for the functional annotation and pathogenic classification of genomic structural variations. OGM provides valuable insights into etiological analysis of DMD/BMD and enhances our understanding for cryptic effects of complex rearrangements.

Abstract Interparticle pore space and vugs are two different scales of pore space in vuggy porous media. Vuggy porous media widely exists in carbonate reservoirs, and the permeability of this porous media plays an important role in many engineering fields. It has been shown that the change of effective stress has important effects on the permeability of vuggy porous media. In this work, a fractal permeability model for vuggy porous media is developed based on the fractal theory and elastic mechanics. Besides, a Monte Carlo simulation is also implemented to obtain feasible values of permeability. The proposed model can predict the elastic deformation of the fractal vuggy porous media under loading stress, which plays a crucial role in the variations of permeability. The predicted permeability data based on the present fractal model are compared with experimental data, which verifies the validity of the present fractal permeability model for vuggy porous media. The parameter sensitivity analysis indicates that the permeability of stress-sensitivity vuggy porous media is related to the capillary fractal dimension, capillary fractal tortuosity dimension, Young’s modulus, and Poisson’s ratio.

Mustard essential oil (MEO) nanoemulsions fortified with citrus pectin and tween-80 (MEO-NE-PT) or tween-80 (MEO-NE-T) were prepared by high-pressure homogenization followed by ultrasonication, and comparative analysis was performed on the microstructure, storage stability, pH, ionic strength and thermal tolerance between MEO-NE-PT and MEO-NE-T. The application of MEO-NE-PT to the postharvest preservation of ‘Shatangju’ mandarin was evaluated. It was found that MEO-NE-PT exhibited superior stability with smaller fluctuations in particle size and polydispersity index (PDI). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of MEO-NE-PT was 64 μL/L, much lower than those of MEO (256 μL/L) and MEO-NE-T (128 μL/L). Furthermore, after MEO-NE-PT treatment at 64 μL/L for 6 h, the germination rate of Geotrichum candidum spores was only 6.67%, and the length of the germ tube was only 8.57 μm, both significantly lower than 100% and 165.02 μm for the control group (MEO), respectively. The results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that treatment with MEO-NE-PT caused the mycelium of Geotrichum candidum to wrinkle and break apart. Compared with the control group, MEO-NE-PT treatment could significantly reduce the decay rate and quality loss of ‘Shatangju’ mandarin, while delaying the decline in hardness and total soluble solids. As a safe and effective antimicrobial agent, MEO-NE-PT could control the growth of Geotrichum candidum and maintain the post-harvest quality of ‘Shatangju’ mandarin.

Academic leaders at managerial universities have been confronted with significant challenges of recruiting and sustaining faculty members who are both committed to their work and satisfied with it. This study investigated the mediating effect of research self-efficacy and job stress on the relationship between transformational leadership and working attitudes. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 1,498 faculty members in total from 26 Chinese research universities. The results indicated the significant positive impact of academic leaders' transformational leadership on the positive working attitudes of Chinese university faculty members. They also indicated both positive and negative mediating effects of university faculty members' research self-efficacy and perceived job stress on the relationship between transformational leadership and working attitudes.

Dysregulation of adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing has been implicated in cancer progression. However, a comprehensive understanding of how A-to-I RNA editing is incorporated into miRNA regulation to modulate gene expression in cancer remains unclear, given the lack of effective identification methods. To this end, we introduced an information theory-based algorithm named REMR to systematically identify 12,006 A-to-I RNA editing-mediated miRNA regulatory triplets (RNA editing sites, miRNAs, and genes) across ten major cancer types based on multi-omics profiling data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Through analyses of functional enrichment, transcriptional regulatory networks, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, we showed that RNA editing-mediated miRNA regulation potentially affects critical cancer-related functions, such as apoptosis, cell cycle, drug resistance, and immunity. Furthermore, triplets can serve as biomarkers for classifying cancer subtypes with distinct prognoses or drug responses, highlighting the clinical relevance of such regulation. In addition, an online resource (http://www.jianglab.cn/REMR/) was constructed to support the convenient retrieval of our findings. In summary, our study systematically dissected the RNA editing-mediated miRNA regulations, thereby providing a valuable resource for understanding the mechanism of RNA editing as an epitranscriptomic regulator in cancer.

After 50 years of research on the correlation between the geomagnetic field and climate, we have gained a deeper understanding that the regulation of climate by geomagnetic field changes is far more complex than previously imagined. In this paper, we comprehensively review the research connecting the geomagnetic field and climate over the past 50 years, examining different spatial and temporal scales. Our results demonstrate a significant correlation between geomagnetic field changes and climate at various scales, including millennial-scale geomagnetic reversals, thousand-year-scale geomagnetic shifts, centennial-scale geomagnetic abrupt, and even decadal-scale variations in geomagnetic activity. The Matuyama–Brunhes geomagnetic reversal is associated with the cold climate. The increase in galactic cosmic rays (GCR) during this period gave rise to the formation of low-altitude cloud "umbrella effects", subsequently weakening the East Asian summer monsoon and intensifying the East Asian winter monsoon. Archaeomagnetic data from Mesopotamia remarkably illustrates a consistent correlation between four cold periods in the last three thousand years and a sudden increase in geomagnetic anomalies. Exploring the possibility that these geomagnetic anomalies correspond to extreme tilts of the Earth's dipole, it is hypothesized that auroral ovals and sub-auroral regions may have expanded to lower latitudes. In these regions, cosmic rays potentially interacted with a more humid troposphere, resulting in increased cloud cover and, consequently, observed atmospheric cooling. Changes in GCR flux, induced by solar activity and variations in the geomagnetic field, are proposed to have significant implications for alterations in temperate pressure systems, precipitation patterns, and atmospheric electric fields. These effects play diverse roles within the intricately coupled system of the Earth's atmosphere and the near-Earth space environment. However, it's important to note that correlation does not imply causation, and the potential mechanisms by which the geomagnetic field influences climate change are still a subject of debate. The cosmic ray-cloud mechanism is the most promising avenue for understanding how the geomagnetic field regulates climate, operating effectively across different time scales, but its exact physical mechanisms and relative importance remain unresolved issues. We propose that understanding the correlation between the geomagnetic field and climate from the perspective of solar-terrestrial multisphere coupling is crucial, with a specific focus on the response of regional climate systems to changes in regional magnetic fields. By integrating knowledge from ancient times to the present, from regional to global perspectives, we aim to form a comprehensive understanding of the correlation between the geomagnetic field and climate change. The recent successful launch of Aoke-1, which can delicately characterize magnetic field changes in the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA), the first discovery of the centennial-scale western Pacific anomaly (WPA), and the rapid development of paleomagnetic/archaeomagnetic and paleoclimate data reconstruction have provided new historical opportunities for research on the geomagnetic field and climate. This progress indicates that the study of the impact of geomagnetic field changes on climate will be propelled to new heights.

Abstract To describe the fetal death rate of birth defects (including a broad range of specific defects) and to explore the relationship between fetal deaths from birth defects and a broad range of demographic characteristics. Data was derived from the birth defects surveillance system in Hunan Province, China, 2016–2020. Fetal death refers to the intrauterine death of a fetus at any time during the pregnancy, including medical termination of pregnancy. Fetal death rate is the number of fetal deaths per 100 births (including live births and fetal deaths) in a specified group (unit: %). The fetal death rate of birth defects with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was calculated by the log-binomial method. Crude odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to examine the relationship between each demographic characteristic and fetal deaths from birth defects. This study included 847,755 births, and 23,420 birth defects were identified. A total of 11,955 fetal deaths from birth defects were identified, with a fetal death rate of 51.05% (95% CI 50.13–51.96). 15.78% (1887 cases) of fetal deaths from birth defects were at a gestational age of

Abstract To describe the prevalence and death rate of birth defects from population-based surveillance in Hunan Province, China. Data were obtained from the population-based Birth Defects Surveillance System in Hunan Province, China (2010–2020). The surveillance population included all live births, stillbirths, infant deaths, and legal terminations of pregnancy from 28 weeks of gestation to 42 days after birth between 2010 and 2020 when the mother resided in the surveillance area (Liuyang County and Shifeng District, Hunan Province). The prevalence of birth defects is the number of birth defects per 1000 infants (‰). The death rate of birth defects is the number of deaths attributable to birth defects per 100 birth defects (%). The prevalence and death rate with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated by the log-binomial method. Crude odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to examine the association of each demographic characteristic with birth defects. Our study included 228,444 infants, and 4453 birth defects were identified, with a prevalence of 19.49‰ (95%CI 18.92–20.07). Congenital heart defects were the most common specific defects (5.29‰), followed by limb defects (4.01‰). Birth defects were more common in males than females (22.34‰ vs. 16.26‰, OR = 1.38, 95%CI 1.30–1.47), in premature birth than not (91.82‰ vs. 16.14‰, OR = 6.16, 95%CI 5.72–6.65), in birth weight 4000 g (19.48‰ vs. 16.22‰, OR = 1.21, 95%CI 1.03–1.42) than birth weight 2500–4000 g, in hospitalized deliveries than other institutions (22.16‰ vs. 11.74‰, OR = 1.91, 95%CI 1.76–2.07), in multiple births than singletons (28.50‰ vs. 19.28‰, OR = 1.49, 95%CI 1.27–1.76), in maternal age = 35 years (24.31‰ vs. 18.69‰, OR = 1.31, 95%CI 1.18–1.45) than maternal age 25–29 years, and in number of pregnancies > = 4 (22.91‰ vs. 18.92‰, OR = 1.22, 95%CI 1.10–1.35) than the first pregnancy. A total of 747 deaths attributable to birth defects were identified, including 603 (80.72%) stillbirths, 75 (10.04%) deaths within 7 days after birth, 46 (6.16%) deaths in 7–27 days after birth, 23 (3.08%) deaths in 28–42 days after birth. The death rate of birth defects was 16.78% (95%CI 15.57–17.98). Deaths attributable to birth defects accounted for 51.09% (747/1462) of all deaths. Central nervous system defects had the highest death rate (90.27%), and neonatal genetic metabolic defects had the lowest death rate (0.39%). In summary, we have described the prevalence and epidemiology of birth defects from population-based surveillance in Hunan Province, China, 2010–2020. There were differences in the prevalence and death rate of birth defects between population-based surveillance and hospital-based surveillance.

Abstract Background Computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsy (CTB) procedures are commonly used to aid in the diagnosis of pulmonary nodules (PNs). When CTB findings indicate a non-malignant lesion, it is critical to correctly determine false-negative results. Therefore, the current study was designed to construct a predictive model for predicting false-negative cases among patients receiving CTB for PNs who receive non-malignant results. Materials and methods From January 2016 to December 2020, consecutive patients from two centers who received CTB-based non-malignant pathology results while undergoing evaluation for PNs were examined retrospectively. A training cohort was used to discover characteristics that predicted false negative results, allowing the development of a predictive model. The remaining patients were used to establish a testing cohort that served to validate predictive model accuracy. Results The training cohort included 102 patients with PNs who showed non-malignant pathology results based on CTB. Each patient underwent CTB for a single nodule. Among these patients, 85 and 17 patients, respectively, showed true negative and false negative PNs. Through univariate and multivariate analyses, higher standardized maximum uptake values (SUVmax, P = 0.001) and CTB-based findings of suspected malignant cells (P = 0.043) were identified as being predictive of false negative results. Following that, these two predictors were combined to produce a predictive model. The model achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.945. Furthermore, it demonstrated sensitivity and specificity values of 88.2% and 87.1% respectively. The testing cohort included 62 patients, each of whom had a single PN. When the developed model was used to evaluate this testing cohort, this yielded an AUC value of 0.851. Conclusions In patients with PNs, the predictive model developed herein demonstrated good diagnostic effectiveness for identifying false-negative CTB-based non-malignant pathology data.

Abstract Objective To explore the risk factors for maternal near-miss (MNM) using the WHO near-miss approach. Methods Data were obtained from the Maternal Near-Miss Surveillance System in Hunan Province, China, 2012–2022. Multivariate logistic regression analysis (method: Forward, Wald, α = 0.05) and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were used to identify risk factors for MNM. Results Our study included 780,359 women with 731,185 live births, a total of 2461 (0.32%) MNMs, 777,846 (99.68%) non-MNMs, and 52 (0.006%) maternal deaths were identified. The MNM ratio was 3.37‰ (95%CI: 3.23–3.50). Coagulation/hematological dysfunction was the most common cause of MNM (75.66%). Results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed risk factors for MNM: maternal age > = 30 years old (aOR > 1, P = 2 (aOR > 1, P = 3 (aOR = 1.95, 95%CI: 1.50–2.55), prenatal examinations = 2 (aOR = 2.48, 95%CI: 1.99–3.09). Conclusion The MNM ratio was relatively low in Hunan Province. Advanced maternal age, unmarried status, a high number of pregnancies, nulliparity or high parity, a low number of prenatal examinations, and cesarean sections were risk factors for MNM. Our study is essential for improving the quality of maternal health care and preventing MNM.

Cr(VI) and phenol commonly coexist in wastewater, posing a great threat to the environment and human health. However, it is still a challenge for microorganisms to degrade phenol under high Cr(VI) stress. In this study, the phenol-degrading strain Bacillus cereus ZWB3 was co-cultured with the Cr(VI)-reducing strain Bacillus licheniformis MZ-1 to enhance phenol biodegradation under Cr(Ⅵ) stress. Compared with phenol-degrading strain ZWB3, which has weak tolerance to Cr(Ⅵ), and Cr(Ⅵ)-reducing strain MZ-1, which has no phenol-degrading ability, the co-culture of two strains could significantly increase the degraded rate and capacity of phenol. In addition, the co-cultured strains exhibited phenol degradation ability over a wide pH range (7–10). The reduced content of intracellular proteins and polysaccharides produced by the co-cultured strains contributed to the enhancement of phenol degradation and Cr(Ⅵ) tolerance. The determination coefficients R2, RMSE, and MAPE showed that the BP-ANN model could predict the degradation of phenol under various conditions, which saved time and economic cost. The metabolic pathway of microbial degradation of phenol was deduced by metabolic analysis. This study provides a valuable strategy for wastewater treatment containing Cr(Ⅵ) and phenol. HIGHLIGHTS Co-culture can degrade phenol under high concentrations of Cr(VI).; Co-culture improves the degraded rate and concentration of phenol under Cr(VI) stress.; Co-culture synergistically enhances the ability to resist phenol and Cr(VI) toxicity.; BP-ANN predicted the degradation of phenol under different conditions.;

Abstract Background Because the cases are quite scarce, we aimed to review cases of foreign body impaction penetrating the neck through the esophagus to analyze the characteristics of these cases. The open surgery skills of the surgeon, the treatment procedure and the surgeons’ experience in the rare diseases were analyzed. Methods We collected and analyzed all cases from 2015–2020 in our hospital. Surgical skills and procedures for fasting and anti-infection treatment were reviewed retrospectively. Follow-up was telephone communication. Results Our series included 15 cases. Tenderness in the pre-cervical site was a physical sign for screening. Thirteen cases underwent a lateral neck open surgery with the incision including the left side of neck and only two cases were incised from the right side of the neck. Pus was found 3 days after the impaction in one case, the shortest time observed in our series. The esophageal laceration was only sutured primarily in 5 cases (33.33%) among all fifteen cases. After sufficient drainage (average more than 9 days), antibiotic treatment and fasting (normally 2–3 weeks), patients gradually began to switch to solid foods from fluids after complete blood counts and confirmations from esophageal radiography result. No severe complications occurred, and all the patients have no swallowing dis-function and recovered well. Conclusion Surgery should be performed as soon as possible after impaction. Lateral neck approach surgery and the therapeutic procedure described in this article are safe and effective treatments.

Abstract Compared to transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) monolayers, rhombohedral-stacked (R-stacked) TMD bilayers exhibit remarkable electrical performance, enhanced nonlinear optical response, giant piezo-photovoltaic effect and intrinsic interfacial ferroelectricity. However, from a thermodynamics perspective, the formation energies of R-stacked and hexagonal-stacked (H-stacked) TMD bilayers are nearly identical, leading to mixed stacking of both H- and R-stacked bilayers in epitaxial films. Here, we report the remote epitaxy of centimetre-scale single-crystal R-stacked WS2 bilayer films on sapphire substrates. The bilayer growth is realized by a high flux feeding of the tungsten source at high temperature on substrates. The R-stacked configuration is achieved by the symmetry breaking in a-plane sapphire, where the influence of atomic steps passes through the lower TMD layer and controls the R-stacking of the upper layer. The as-grown R-stacked bilayers show up-to-30-fold enhancements in carrier mobility (34 cm2V−1s−1), nearly doubled circular helicity (61%) and interfacial ferroelectricity, in contrast to monolayer films. Our work reveals a growth mechanism to obtain stacking-controlled bilayer TMD single crystals, and promotes large-scale applications of R-stacked TMD.

Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common metabolic disorder and reproductive endocrine disease, posing an elevated risk to women of reproductive age. Although metabolism differences in serum, amniotic fluid and urine have been documented in PCOS, there remains a paucity of evidence for vaginal fluid. This study aimed to identify the metabolic characteristics and potential biomarkers of PCOS in Chinese women of reproductive age. Methods We involved ten newly diagnosed PCOS women who attended gynecology at Zhongda Hospital and matched them with ten healthy controls who conducted health check-up programs at Gulou Maternal and Child Health Center in Nanjing, China from January 1st, 2019 to July 31st, 2020. Non-targeted metabolomics based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was applied to differentially screen vaginal metabolites between PCOS group and healthy controls. Principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and enrichment analysis were used to observe differences, search for potential biomarkers and enrich related pathways. Results Among the 20 participants, a total of 195 different metabolites were detected between PCOS group and healthy control group. PCOS and control groups were effectively separated by vaginal fluid. Lipids and lipid-like molecules constituted the majority of differential metabolites. Notably, dopamine exhibited an increased trend in PCOS group and emerged as the most significant differential metabolite, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for identifying PCOS. The application of UHPLC-MS/MS based vaginal metabolomics methods showed significant differences between PCOS and non-PCOS healthy control groups, especially linoleic acid metabolism disorder. Most differential metabolites were enriched in pathways associated with linoleic acid metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism or arachidonic acid metabolism. Conclusions In this pilot investigation, significant metabolomics differences could be obtained between PCOS and healthy control groups. For PCOS women of reproductive age, vaginal metabolism is a more economical, convenient and harmless alternative to provide careful personalized health diagnosis and potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

Dietary fiber targets the regulation of the intestinal flora and thus affects host health, however, the complex relationship between these factors lacks direct evidence. In this study, the regulatory effects of Konjac glucomannan (KGM) on key metabolites of host intestinal flora were examined by using in vitro fermentation. The results showed that KGM could be utilized by the intestinal flora, which inhibited the relative abundance of Paeniclostridium, Lachnoclostridium, Phascolarctobacterium, and Bacteroides and enriched the relative abundance of Desulfovibrio, Sutterella, etc. Fermentation is accompanied by the production of short-chain acids, including acetic and propionic acids. Metabolomics revealed that KGM significantly promoted amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, and the biosynthesis of other secondary metabolites. Correlation analysis results showed that the increase of panose and N-(1-carboxy-3-carboxanilidopropyl) alanylproline content was positively correlated with the relative abundance of Megamonas. These results provide evidence that KGM affects host health by regulating gut microbiota and its metabolites.

Objective: Cangfu Daotan decoction is a classic traditional Chinese medicine formula that has been found to be beneficial for treating polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in animal models. This systematic review aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of Cangfu Daotan decoction as an adjuvant treatment to Diane-35 for PCOS in humans. Methods: Seven electronic databases were searched up to June 22, 2024, to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated Cangfu Daotan decoction combined with Diane-35 versus Diane-35 alone for the treatment of PCOS. The effects of individual RCTs were combined via meta-analysis and were measured as relative risks (RRs) or weighted mean differences (WMDs). Results: Twenty-five RCTs with a moderate to high risk of bias were included, involving 1845 patients with PCOS. Meta-analyses indicated that compared with Diane-35 alone, the combination of Diane-35 and Cangfu Daotan decoction significantly improved the response rate (RR 1.19, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.14 to 1.24), pregnancy rate (RR 1.57, 95 % CI 1.18 to 2.09), ovulation rate (RR 1.22, 95 % CI 1.11 to 1.35), and ovarian volume (WMD -1.43 cm3, 95 % CI -2.46 to −0.39). Cangfu Daotan decoction also significantly reduced the luteinizing hormone (LH) level, LH:FSH ratio, testosterone level, prolactin level, body mass index (BMI) and hirsutism and acne scores but had no significant effect on the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level. All adverse events were mild and not related to Cangfu Daotan decoction treatment. Conclusions: The findings suggest that Cangfu Daotan decoction, as an adjuvant therapy to Diane-35 for the treatment of PCOS, can reduce multiple sex hormone levels and BMI, relieve hyperandrogenism signs, and ultimately improve pregnancy outcomes, with good safety. The effect of Cangfu Daotan decoction on FSH remains uncertain. Due to limitations of risk of bias and heterogeneity, the quality of evidence was rated as moderate to very low.

ObjectiveBirth defect of any type is undesirable and often pose a negative impact on the health and development of the newborn. Birth defects surveillance with datasets from surveillance health-related programs are useful to predict the pattern of birth defects and take preventive measures. In this study, the total prevalence, perinatal prevalence, and livebirth prevalence of birth defects were compared.MethodsData were obtained from the Birth Defects Surveillance System in Hunan Province, China, 2016–2020. The total prevalence is the number of birth defects (including livebirths, stillbirths, and selective terminations of pregnancy) per 1,000 births (including livebirths and stillbirths). The perinatal prevalence is the number of birth defects (between 28 weeks gestation and 7 days postpartum) per 1,000 births. The livebirth prevalence is the number of liveborn birth defects per 1,000 births (unit: ‰). Underestimated proportion (unit: %) is the reduction level of perinatal prevalence or livebirth prevalence compared to the total prevalence. Prevalence with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was calculated using the log-binomial method. Chi-square tests (χ2) were used to examine if significant differences existed in prevalence or underestimated proportion between different groups.ResultsA total of 847,755 births were included in this study, and 23,420 birth defects were identified, including 14,459 (61.74%) birth defects with gestational age > =28 weeks, and 11,465 (48.95%) birth defects in livebirths. The total prevalence, perinatal prevalence, and livebirth prevalence of birth defects were 27.63‰ (95%CI, 27.27–27.98), 17.06‰ (95%CI, 16.78–17.33), and 13.52‰ (95%CI, 13.28–13.77), respectively, and significant differences existed between them (χ2 = 4798.55, p 0.05).ConclusionThe total prevalence and livebirth prevalence of birth defects in Hunan Province, China, was not well studied. A systematic study was conducted to compare the total prevalence, perinatal prevalence, and livebirth prevalence of birth defects. The study reveals that significant differences existed between the total prevalence, perinatal prevalence, and livebirth prevalence of birth defects (including many specific defects), and year, sex, residence, and maternal age had significant impacts on it. The outcomes of the study will help to take preventive measures for birth defects as well as benefit the people involving public health and policymakers to improve the current scenario.

Microalgae biofilm has garnered significant attention from researchers in the field of sewage treatment due to its advantages such as ease of collection and stable sewage treatment capabilities. Using agricultural waste as biofilm carriers has become a hotspot in reducing costs for this method. This study first combined Tetradesmus obliquus with loofah to form a microalgae biofilm for the study of periodic nitrogen and phosphorus removal from municipal wastewater. The biofilm could stably treat 7 batches of wastewater within one month. The removal rate of TP almost reached 100 %, while the removal rates of NH4+ and TN both reached or exceeded 80 %. The average biomass yield over 25 days was 102.04 mg/L/day. The polysaccharide content increased from 8.61 % to 16.98 % during the cyclic cultivation. The lipid content gradually decreased from 40.91 to 26.1 %. The protein content increased from 32.93 % in the initial stage to 41.18 % and then decreased to 36.31 % in the later stage. During the mid-stage of culturing, the richness of anaerobic bacteria decreased, while the richness of aerobic and facultative bacteria increased, which was conducive to the construction of the microalgae-bacteria symbiotic system and steadily improved the effect of nitrogen and phosphorus removal. As the culturing progressed, the Rotifers that emerged during the mid-stage gradually damaged the biofilm over time, leading to a decline in the effectiveness of sewage treatment in the later stages. This study offers technical support for carrier selection in microalgae biofilm methods and for the periodic removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater.

Given the abundance and intricate nature of the chemical components found in natural food ingredients, functional food research has long grappled with two significant technical challenges: rapid and precise screening of active substances and targeted preparation. To enhance the efficiency of fungal food preparation, novel methodologies for screening and the production of xanthine oxidase inhibitors from G. lucidum have been developed. The xanthine oxidase inhibitors were rapidly screened using AUF-LC-MS. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation were used to verify the anti-gout activity of active compounds. Subsequently, with activity screening as the guide, HSCCC and SPLC were employed to separate the active ingredients. Simultaneously, the mechanism of action of xanthine oxidase inhibitors was analyzed by enzymatic reaction kinetics. Finally, the anti-gout activity of chemical components in G. lucidum was verified by network pharmacology, and its mechanism of action was discussed. Four potential xanthine oxidase inhibitors, namely ganoderic acid C2, B, A, and D2, were screened from G. lucidum. Their docking binding energies with xanthine oxidase were −6.29, −6.65, −4.29, and −5.96 kcal/mol, respectively. The purity of the four triterpenoid active ingredients isolated from G. lucidum was more than 90 %. These triterpenoid active ingredients showed a reversible inhibitory effect on xanthine oxidase. Network pharmacological studies revealed 71 common targets of active ingredients and gout, obtained by screening and intersecting the two targets, and identified the main metabolic pathways. The results indicate that G. lucidum extract can be employed for the prevention and treatment of gout disease. We enhance the efficiency and purity of active compounds preparation by incorporating enzyme inhibition assays and computerized virtual screening with compound chromatography. With this approach, we seamlessly incorporate fast discovery, screening, and focused preparation of active ingredients, as well as delving into the mechanisms of action of active monomers and proteases, and the molecular-level interactions between active ingredients and proteases. This study providing more opportunities to discover and develop new potential therapeutics from health food resources.

In plants, carbohydrates are central products of photosynthesis. Rice is a staple that contributes to the daily calorie intake for over half of the world’s population. Hence, the primary objective of rice cultivation is to maximize carbohydrate production. The “source-sink” theory is proposed as a valuable principle for guiding crop breeding. However, the “flow” research lag, especially in sugar transport, has hindered high-yield rice breeding progress. This review concentrates on the genetic and molecular foundations of sugar transport and its regulation, enhancing the fundamental understanding of sugar transport processes in plants. We illustrate that the apoplastic pathway is predominant over the symplastic pathway during phloem loading in rice. Sugar transport proteins, such as SUTs and SWEETs, are essential carriers for sugar transportation in the apoplastic pathway. Additionally, we have summarized a regulatory pathway for sugar transport genes in rice, highlighting the roles of transcription factors (OsDOF11, OsNF-YB1, OsNF-YC12, OsbZIP72, Nhd1), OsRRM (RNA Recognition Motif containing protein), and GFD1 (Grain Filling Duration 1). Recognizing that the research shortfall in this area stems from a lack of advanced research methods, we discuss cutting-edge analytical techniques such as Mass Spectrometry Imaging and single-cell RNA sequencing, which could provide profound insights into the dynamics of sugar distribution and the associated regulatory mechanisms. In summary, this comprehensive review serves as a valuable guide, directing researchers toward a deep understanding and future study of the intricate mechanisms governing sugar transport.

IntroductionMonoclonal antibodies (mAbs) play a pivotal role in disease diagnosis as well as immunotherapy interventions. Traditional monoclonal antibody generation relies on animal immunization procedures predominantly involving mice; however, recent advances in in-vitro expression methodologies have enabled large-scale production suitable for both industrial applications as well as scientific investigations.MethodsIn this study, two mAbs against H7 subtype avian influenza viruses (AIV) were sequenced and analyzed, and the DNA sequences encoding heavy chain (HC) and light chain (LC) were obtained and cloned into pCHO-1.0 expression vector. Then, the HC and LC expression plasmids were transfected into CHO-S cells to establish stable cell lines expressing these mAbs using a two-phase selection scheme with different concentrations of methotrexate and puromycin. Recombinant antibodies were purified from the cell culture medium, and their potential applications were evaluated using hemagglutination inhibition (HI), western blotting (WB), confocal microscopy, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsThe results indicated that the obtained recombinant antibodies exhibited biological activity similar to that of the parent antibodies derived from ascites and could be used as a replacement for animal-derived mAbs. A kinetic analysis of the two antibodies to the AIV HA protein, conducted using surface plasmon resonance (SPR), showed concordance between the recombinant and parental antibodies.DiscussionThe data presented in this study suggest that the described antibody production protocol could avoid the use of experimental animals and better conform to animal welfare regulations, and provides a basis for further research and development of mAbs-based diagnostic products.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common heterogeneous reproductive endocrine metabolic disorder in women of reproductive age characterized by clinical and biochemical hyperandrogenemia, ovulation disorders, and polycystic ovarian morphology. Ferroptosis is a novel type of cell death driven by iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation. Ferroptosis plays a role in maintaining redox balance, iron metabolism, lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, mitochondrial activity, and many other signaling pathways linked to diseases. Iron overload is closely related to insulin resistance, decreased glucose tolerance, and the occurrence of diabetes mellitus. There is limited research on the role of ferroptosis in PCOS. Patients with PCOS have elevated levels of ferritin and increased reactive oxygen species in ovarian GCs. Studying ferroptosis in PCOS patients is highly important for achieving personalized treatment. This article reviews the progress of research on ferroptosis in PCOS, introduces the potential connections between iron metabolism abnormalities and oxidative stress-mediated PCOS, and provides a theoretical basis for diagnosing and treating PCOS.

Objective： To improve the adsorption of genistein by zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks （MOFs） with triangle aromatic ligands. Methods： Two MOFs （MOF-808 and PCN-777） containing different sizes of triangle aromatic ligands were synthesized by hydrothermal method for adsorption of genistein. The synthesis of MOFs was determined by a series of characterization methods, and the adsorption performance was compared with that of a linear binary carboxylic acid ligand-constructed MOF （UiO-66）, to evaluate the effects of pore characteristics, hydrophobicity changes, and other factors on the adsorption performance, and to explore the adsorption mechanism by XPS analysis. Results： Compared with linear ligand-constructed UiO-66, the pore sizes of triangular aromatic ligand-constructed MOFs （MOF-808, and PCN-777） increased from 0.65 nm to 1.81 nm and 3.55 nm, respectively, and the water contact angles increased from 47.91° to 110.68° and 128.23°, respectively. The adsorption capacity and adsorption efficiency of genistein in linear ligand-constructed UiO-66 was 40.08 mg/g and 39.98%, respectively, while the adsorption capacity and adsorption efficiency of genistein in MOFs constructed by triangular aromatic ligand （MOF-808, PCN-777） was increased to 61.80 mg/g, 81.75 mg/g and 61.63%, 81.52% respectively. Conclusion： Metal-organic frameworks （MOFs） can be used for the adsorption and enrichment of genistein. Compared with linear ligands, the introduction of triangular aromatic ligands with different sizes changes the pore size and hydrophobicity of MOFs, enhances the internal accessibility of MOFs, and provides more adsorption sites, which improves the adsorption effect of genistein. The adsorption mechanism of genistein in PCN-777 is based on the synergistic combination of metal-chelating interactions, π-π interactions, and hydrophobic interactions.