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Slope stability analysis is an important part of rockfill dam design, and the uncertainty of rock and soil physical and mechanical parameters has a significant impact on slope stability. In this article, based on physical and mechanical parameters c and φ, simplified Bishop’s method and mean clustering method are adopted to study the influence of parameter cohesion c and internal friction Angle φ on slope safety factor k of composite geomembrane rockfill dam, and the key and non-critical areas of the dam are preliminarily differentiated according to the different influences of the changes in different sections of the dam body on slope safety factor c and φ. The research results show that whether c and φ change ±5 and ±10% simultaneously with single parameter or double parameter, it shows that cohesion force c has little influence on slope stability, while internal friction Angle φ is the most sensitive factor in slope stability calculation, and its numerical accuracy has a great influence on the calculation result of safety factor. In addition, the influence of c and φ in key areas on the stability of the dam body is more significant. Therefore, in the construction of a composite geofilm rockfill dam, a relatively accurate φ value is required when selecting parameters, especially in key areas. This study not only has a certain guiding significance for the property requirements of the selected soil, engineering safety, and engineering optimization design, but also puts forward some new methods and ideas for optimizing the design scheme and improving the safety of the dam.

Abstract This paper explores the gendered differences between men and women as perceived through the images on the online dating platform Tinder. While personal images on Instagram, Tumblr, and Facebook have been studied en masse, large-scale studies of the landscape of visual representations on online dating platforms remain rare. We apply a machine learning algorithm to 10,680 profile images collected on Tinder in Estonia to study the perceived gendered differences in self-representation among men and women. Beyond identifying the dominant genres of profile pictures used by men and women, we build a comprehensive map of visual self-representation on the platform. We further expand our findings by analyzing the distribution of the image genres across the profile gallery and identifying the prevalent positions for each genre within the profiles. Lastly, we identify the variability of women’s and men’s images within each genre. Our approach provides a holistic overview of the culture of visual self-representation on the dating app Tinder and invites scholars to expand the research on gendered differences and stereotypes to include cross-platform and cross-cultural analysis.

Abstract Background This study examines the structural validity of the Chinese version of the Abbreviated Profile of Mood States (POMS) among Chinese athletes and analyzes potential profiles to provide evidence for its effective use and recommendations for its application. Methods A total of 340 Chinese athletes completed the Chinese version of the Abbreviated POMS. Initially, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted to identify and verify the extractable dimensions of the Abbreviated POMS. Subsequently, the fit of the six-factor and seven-factor models of POMS was tested directly based on their theoretical structures. Finally, latent profile analysis was used to examine profiles based on the four-factor model derived from the factor analysis, six-factor model, and seven-factor model. Results The Abbreviated POMS was refined to a four-factor model, consisting of 27 items across four factors: positive mood, anger, fatigue, and confusion. The hypothesized six-factor and seven-factor models did not demonstrate satisfactory fit, suggesting that the seven dimensions function better as independent subscales. Iceberg and inverse iceberg profiles were observed across the four-factor model, six-factor model, and seven-factor model. Conclusion The Abbreviated POMS does not support its initial hypothesized structure among Chinese athletes. Caution is advised when using the Abbreviated POMS with athletes; it is recommended to use the four-factor model or evaluate each emotion as an independent subscale. The iceberg and inverse iceberg profiles can be used to categorize athletes’ emotional characteristics.

Abstract Paternal genome elimination (PGE) is an intriguing but poorly understood reproductive strategy in which females are typically diploid, but males lose paternal genomes. Paternal genome heterochromatin (PGH) occurs in arthropods with germline PGE, such as the mealybug, coffee borer beetles, and booklice. Here, we present evidence that PGH initially occurs during early embryo development at around 15 h post-mating (hpm) in the cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley. Transcriptome analysis followed by qPCR validation indicated that six histone lysine methyltransferase (KMT) genes are predominantly expressed in adult females. We knocked down these five genes through dsRNA microinjection. We found that downregulation of two KMT genes, PsEZH2-X1 and PsEHMT1, resulted in a decrease of heterochromatin-related methylations, including H3K27me1, H3K27me3, and H3K9me3 in the ovaries, fewer PGH male embryos, and reduced male offspring. For further confirmation, we obtained two strains of transgenic tobacco highly expressing dsRNA targeting PsEZH2-X1 and PsEHMT1, respectively. Similarly, fewer PGH embryos and fewer male offspring were observed when feeding on these transgenic tobacco plants. Overall, we present evidence that PsEZH2-X1 and PsEHMT1 have essential roles in male embryo survival by regulating PGH formation in cotton mealybugs.

Abstract Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is the second most common primary liver cancer and its prognosis remains poor. Although growing numbers of studies have verified the involvement of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in various cancer types, their specific functions in ICC remain elusive. Herein, a circRNA, circUGP2 is identified by circRNA sequencing, which is downregulated in ICC tissues and correlated with patients’ prognosis. Moreover, circUGP2 overexpression suppresses tumor progression in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, circUGP2 functions as a transcriptional co‐activator of PURB over the expression of ADGRB1. It can also upregulate ADGRB1 expression by sponging miR‐3191‐5p. As a result, ADGRB1 prevents MDM2‐mediated p53 polyubiquitination and thereby activates p53 signaling to inhibit ICC progression. Based on these findings, circUGP2 plasmid is encapsulated into a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) system, which has successfully targeted tumor site and shows superior anti‐tumor effects. In summary, the present study has identified the role of circUGP2 as a tumor suppressor in ICC through regulating ADGRB1/p53 axis, and the application of LNP provides a promising translational strategy for ICC treatment.

Objective: We aimed to examine whether heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) affects the lung fibrosis process through the activation of p38 protein in mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathway, as well as the expression of downstream inflammatory factors. Methods: The expression levels of HB-EGF, collagen type I (COL-I), and hexokinase 2 (HK2) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with connective tissue disease-related interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD) were examined by qPCR, Western blotting and ELISA. Results: In vitro experiments showed that HB-EGF was increased in almost all subtypes [rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic sclerosis (SSc) and idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs)] as well as in all groups (P

Abstract Recent genetic and molecular classification of DLBCL has advanced our knowledge of disease biology, yet were not designed to predict early events and guide anticipatory selection of novel therapies. To address this unmet need, we used an integrative multiomic approach to identify a signature at diagnosis that will identify DLBCL at high risk of early clinical failure. Tumor biopsies from 444 newly diagnosed DLBCL were analyzed by WES and RNAseq. A combination of weighted gene correlation network analysis and differential gene expression analysis was used to identify a signature associated with high risk of early clinical failure independent of IPI and COO. Further analysis revealed the signature was associated with metabolic reprogramming and identified cases with a depleted immune microenvironment. Finally, WES data was integrated into the signature and we found that inclusion of ARID1A mutations resulted in identification of 45% of cases with an early clinical failure which was validated in external DLBCL cohorts. This novel and integrative approach is the first to identify a signature at diagnosis, in a real-world cohort of DLBCL, that identifies patients at high risk for early clinical failure and may have significant implications for design of therapeutic options.

ObjectiveTo lay the foundation of quickly and effectively response to such epidemics for laboratories， the detection of the real-time PCR and culture test results of stool and anal swab samples from 3 outbreaks caused by Campylobacter was compared.MethodsBiological samples from the 3 outbreaks of Campylobacter were collected. Bacterial culture was performed on the samples using filter culture method. DNA was extracted from the original samples， 24 h enriched samples and 48 h enriched samples. Kappa test was used to analyze the results of real-time PCR and culture method.ResultsThe real-time PCR detection sensitivity of original samples， 24 h enriched samples and 48 h enriched samples were 90.91%， 97.22% and 100%. And the detection specificity were 75.00%， 84.00%和78.95%， respectively. Kappa value for the consistency analysis in culture method with real-time PCR based on original samples， 24 h enriched culture samples and 48 h enriched samples were 0.643， 0.813 and 0.785， respectively.ConclusionThe combination of real-time PCR detection and culture detection is an effective laboratory testing method for the respond of Campylobacter outbreaks.

Abstract Background Mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) fusion gene caused by chromosomal rearrangement is a dominant oncogenic driver in leukemia. Due to having diverse MLL rearrangements and complex characteristics, MLL leukemia treated by currently available strategies is frequently associated with a poor outcome. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify novel therapeutic targets for hematological malignancies with MLL rearrangements. Methods qRT-PCR, western blot, and spearman correction analysis were used to validate the regulation of LAMP5-AS1 on LAMP5 expression. In vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to assess the functional relevance of LAMP5-AS1 in MLL leukemia cell survival. We utilized chromatin isolation by RNA purification (ChIRP) assay, RNA pull-down assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and immunofluorescence to elucidate the relationship among LAMP5-AS1, DOT1L, and the LAMP5 locus. Autophagy regulation by LAMP5-AS1 was evaluated through LC3B puncta, autolysosome observation via transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and mRFP-GFP-LC3 puncta in autophagic flux. Results The study shows the crucial role of LAMP5-AS1 in promoting MLL leukemia cell survival. LAMP5-AS1 acts as a novel autophagic suppressor, safeguarding MLL fusion proteins from autophagic degradation. Knocking down LAMP5-AS1 significantly induced apoptosis in MLL leukemia cell lines and primary cells and extended the survival of mice in vivo. Mechanistically, LAMP5-AS1 recruits the H3K79 histone methyltransferase DOT1L to LAMP5 locus, directly activating LAMP5 expression. Importantly, blockade of LAMP5-AS1-LAMP5 axis can represses MLL fusion proteins by enhancing their degradation. Conclusions The findings underscore the significance of LAMP5-AS1 in MLL leukemia progression through the regulation of the autophagy pathway. Additionally, this study unveils the novel lncRNA-DOT1L-LAMP5 axis as promising therapeutic targets for degrading MLL fusion proteins.

As a sort of intelligent material, NiTi shape memory alloys (SMAs) are widely used in the fields of aerospace, medical devices and construction due to their functional properties such as excellent superelasticity, shape memory effect and biocompatibility. Superelasticity is characterized by a macroscopic recovery of the original shape despite large deformations, and is much larger than the recoverable elastic strain of common metals. The shape memory effect is the mutual transformation of austenite and martensite phases under temperature excitation, which is categorized into one-way, two-way and all-round shape memory effects according to the macroscopic deformation. The biocompatibility of NiTi SMAs is reflected in the low elastic modulus and low biotoxicity, which can be used in medical devices such as orthodontics, orthopedics, and cardiovascular stents. In order to fully exploit the applications of these functional properties, researchers are developing intelligent structures based on NiTi SMAs. This paper focuses on the review of the intelligent structures' applications corresponding to the different functional properties of NiTi SMAs, and introduces and discusses functional properties, problems and application fields. Meanwhile, damping and hydrogen storage properties of NiTi SMAs are explained in detail. Finally, this paper underlines the problems that need to be focused on and addressed in the applications of NiTi SMAs in various engineering fields: using additive manufacturing to tailoring the microstructure to achieve the stability improvement of superelasticity; providing theoretical guidance for the stable shape memory effect through the establishment of the intrinsic model, and further optimizing the structure to achieve the macroscopic amplification of the shape memory effect; as well as improving the corrosion resistance of NiTi SMAs in biological environments and the promotion of medical applications. Therefore, a great deal of interdisciplinary research is needed to promote the personalization and functional customization of NiTi SMAs in different applications.

ObjectiveTo analyze the contamination and drug resistance characteristics of Bacillus cereus isolated from raw vegetable.MethodsOne hundred and twenty raw vegetable samples were collected in this study in Beijing City， Shuiyi District from May to September in 2021. Plate counting， bacterial culture， real-time PCR for the ces vomiting toxin gene and the 16S rDNA gene of B. cereus were performed. Drug resistance to 14 antibiotics in B. cereus strains were determined.ResultsThe positive ratios of B. cereus in raw vegetable samples was 84.17% （101/120）. Significant differences were observed in the positive ratio of B. cereus between rhizome and leaf vegetables （χ2=14.181， P=0.000 correction）， in the positive ratio of B. cereus （χ2=11.050， P=0.004） in supermarkets， agricultural markets， and farmland， and also in the positive ratio of ces on enriched samples （P=0.001 Fisher）. Average Ct values of 16S rDNA and ces by real-time PCR in 12 ces+ enriched samples were 19.96 and 31.80， respectively； however， ces+ B. cereus was not isolated. The drug resistance ratios of B. cereus isolates to AMP， PEN， and SXT were 100%， 99.01%， and 61.39%， respectively. Five patterns of drug resistance distribution were observed and the dominant pattern was AMP+PEN+SXT （59.41%）； the multidrug resistance ratio （resistant to three or more classes of antibiotics） was 0.99% （1/101）.ConclusionB. cereus and the ces gene were widely distributed in local raw vegetable samples with a low level of multiple drug resistance in the isolates. ces+ B. cereus was present in low proportions in the B. cereus flora in s single sample of raw vegetable.

ObjectiveTo analyze an acute gastroenteritis outbreak caused by co-infection with Vibrio parahaemolyticus （V. parahaemolyticus） and non-O1/O139 Vibrio cholerae （V. cholerae）.MethodsFour anal swabs， 12 food samples， and 8 environmental samples enriched in liquid culture media were subjected to pathogen screening with real-time PCR. V. parahaemolyticus and V. cholerae strains isolated were subjected to whole genome sequencing， and virulence and antibiotic resistance genes were screened. Cladograms were constructed based on core genome single nucleotide polymorphisms.ResultsV. parahaemolyticus strains were detected in anal swab samples with real-time PCR that were toxRVP+/tdh+/trh-， and two of them were positive for V. cholerae. The positive rate of V. parahaemolyticus in the anal swab samples was 100% （4/4）， the isolates were toxRVP+/tdh+/trh-， and their serotype was O4：KUT. The positive rate of V. cholerae culture in the anal swabs of patients was 50% （2/4）. The serogroup of the isolates was non-O1/O139， and one of them was toxRVC+/ctx/t3ss+. The positive rate of V. parahaemolyticus in the food samples was 66.67% （8/12）， and that in the environment samples was 12.50% （1/8）. The strains isolated from food and environmental samples were toxRVP+/tdh-/trh-. The positive rate of V. cholerae culture in the food samples was 25.00% （3/12） and the isolated strains were toxRVC+/ctx/t3ss-. The V. parahaemolyticus strains isolated from patient， food， and environment samples formed 10 distinct lineages. The four patient isolates were highly clonal. The V. cholerae strains isolated from two patients and three food samples formed five distinct lineages.ConclusionThe outbreak was caused by co-infection with V. parahaemolyticus and non-O1/O139 V. cholerae. Real-time PCR and whole-genome sequence analysis of strains should be performed in the detection and analysis of outbreaks caused by vibrio co-infection. Additionally， optimization of vibrio culture pathways is recommended.

Regional surface deformation resulting from the development and utilization of underground space resources poses a significant threat to the safety of urban areas, and the combination of Synthetic Aperture Radar and Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite data has become a new means to study the impact of underground space evolution on surface deformation. We combine the Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) technology and gravity satellite data to extract information on regional surface deformation and groundwater storage changes in Shanxi Province, to explore the patterns of their temporal and spatial variations, to discover their links with seasonal climate change, to re-conceptualize the laws of the regional water cycle, and to quantify the contribution of multiple fields to the evolution of the surface. Furthermore, we propose a novel multi-source neural network prediction model (LSTM/BP) based on signal decomposition (VMD) and algorithm optimization to handle the complex time series characteristics of groundwater storage. Our findings reveal that groundwater storage in Shanxi Province has been consistently declining, with a monthly deficit rate of approximately 1.05 mm. Additionally, there is a notable spatial variation in the annual rate of change, ranging from −21 to 4 mm/year from north to south. Furthermore, we observe a close relationship between inter-annual and seasonal groundwater storage changes and local rainfall patterns, and we find that regional surface deformation is influenced by these groundwater storage changes. The new prediction model outperforms other models, with a root mean square error of 1.56 mm and a correlation coefficient of more than 0.98 on the test set. The model improves the prediction accuracy of the groundwater reserves in the basin, and it can be used to provide a reference for the comprehensive management of the groundwater in Shanxi Province, the rational development of mineral resources, and other major national needs.

Background & Aims: Apolipoprotein A-1 (ApoA-1), the main apolipoprotein of high-density lipoprotein, has been well studied in the area of lipid metabolism and cardiovascular diseases. In this project, we clarify the function and mechanism of ApoA-1 in liver regeneration. Methods: Seventy percent of partial hepatectomy was applied in male ApoA-1 knockout mice and wild-type mice to investigate the effects of ApoA-1 on liver regeneration. D-4F (ApoA-1 mimetic peptide), autophagy activator, and AMPK activator were used to explore the mechanism of ApoA-1 on liver regeneration. Results: We demonstrated that ApoA-1 levels were highly expressed during the early stage of liver regeneration. ApoA-1 deficiency greatly impaired liver regeneration after hepatectomy. Meanwhile, we found that ApoA-1 deficiency inhibited autophagy during liver regeneration. The activation of autophagy protected against ApoA-1 deficiency in inhibiting liver regeneration. Furthermore, ApoA-1 deficiency impaired autophagy through AMPK-ULK1 pathway, and AMPK activation significantly improved liver regeneration. The administration of D-4F could accelerated liver regeneration after hepatectomy. Conclusions: These findings suggested that ApoA-1 played an essential role in liver regeneration through promoting autophagy in hepatocytes via AMPK-ULK1 pathway. Our findings enrich the understanding of the underlying mechanism of liver regeneration and provide a potential therapeutic strategy for liver injury.

Introduction: Urban resilience is suffering from the challenges of climate change. The increasing volatility of climate change and its impact on urban resilience necessitates a deeper understanding of how internal organizational behaviors can contribute toward sustainable city development. Pro-environmental behavior is one of the important methods of affecting climate change and enhancing urban resilience. This study investigates how employee participation in corporate social responsibility activities promotes pro-environmental behavior and its mechanism.Methods: This research was conducted an online survey of 262 employees from 22 industries in mainland China. To mitigate the bias arising from self-reported assessments by the employees, the data were collected at two time points.Results: Empirical research reveals that employee participation in corporate social responsibility is positively related to employee pro-environmental behavior; these empirical findings not only support how psychological ownership mediates the link between corporate social responsibility participation and pro-environmental behavior but also indicate how employee engagement acts as an intermediary mechanism in enhancing this positive association. Moreover, the chain mediation effect of psychological ownership and employee engagement in the positive link between corporate social responsibility participation and pro-environmental behavior is found to be significant.Discussion: These findings not only enrich the effects of the mechanism of corporate social responsibility participation on employee behavior by introducing new theoretical perspectives but also deepen understanding of the antecedents promoting employee pro-environmental behavior, thereby contributing to the improvement of urban resilience in the face of climate change.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to compare enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) features of exudative retinal detachment (ERD) type and optic disc (OD) swelling type Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada (VKH) disease.MethodsHospitalized VKH patients were retrospectively reviewed and classified into the ERD type and the OD swelling type. The EDI-OCT features were then analyzed.ResultsThe study included 32 ERD type and 15 OD swelling type VKH patients at the acute uveitis stage. The interval between the onset of ocular symptoms and the start of treatment in OD swelling type VKH disease was significantly longer compared to the ERD type (p < 0.001). A fuzzy or lost pattern of the choroidal vasculature was observed in 100% of VKH patients of both types. Moreover, high frequencies (greater than or equal to 50%) of fluctuations in the internal limiting membrane, interdigitation zone disruption, ERD, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) folds, and ellipsoid zone disruption were observed in both types. Patients with OD swelling type VKH disease exhibited higher frequencies of OD swelling and hyperreflective substances above the RPE (p < 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively), with lower frequencies of ERD and bacillary layer detachment (p = 0.012 and p < 0.001, respectively). At the convalescence stage, changes in the EDI-OCT images of 10 ERD type and 5 OD swelling type VKH patients were analyzed. The frequencies of the OCT features decreased with similar trends in both types of VKH disease.ConclusionAlthough ERD type and OD swelling type VKH disease have their own unique characteristics, they share common EDI-OCT features. The Fuzzy or lost pattern of the choroidal vasculature that indicates choroidal inflammation may serve as a diagnostic aid for VKH disease, especially for the OD swelling type and the early-stage ERD type.

Multicomponent reactions involving three or more reactants are commonly used to prepare dihydropyrimidinone with various bioactivities. This study reports the different routes for the synthesis of benzaldehyde-based dihydropyrimidinone via the Biginelli reaction and investigates the yield of the obtained products. The synthesis was performed via routes A, B, C, D, and E based on the formation of iminium, enamine, and Knoevenagel intermediates between urea, benzaldehyde, and ethyl acetoacetate. Route A, through a one-pot reaction via iminium, produced dihydropyrimidinone with a yield of 58%. The product from route B via iminium was obtained in 62% yield. Route C and D occurred via enamine at room temperature, and reflux gave the product 31% and 40% yield, respectively. Route E involving Knoevenagel intermediate provided the product in a 38% yield. 1H NMR, FTIR, and MS spectroscopic techniques were used for structure elucidation.

Objective To investigate the effect of FOCUS-PDCA program to reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in ICU patients. Methods The incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in ICU patients during 2016 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. A FOCUS-PDCA project management team was established to improve the airway management of ICU patients with ventilation. Results A bundle of prevention measures and regulations had been established. The incidence of VAP in ICU patients was decreased form 4. 68‰ to 2. 28‰. Conclusion The Focus-PDCA program is effective to reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in ICU patients (目的 探讨Focus-PDCA管理程序降低重症监护室患者呼吸机相关肺炎的发生率的效果。方法 通过发现重症监护室2016年—2018年呼吸机相关肺炎的发生率逐年递增问题, 2019年及时组建专项管理小组, 利用Focus-PDCA管理工具进行改进。结果 规范重症监护室呼吸机相关性肺炎的预防措施, 呼吸机相关肺炎发生率从4. 68‰下降至2. 28‰。结论 重症医学科实施Focus-PDCA管理能有效降低患者呼吸机相关性肺炎的发生率。)

Abstract Background Chronotype has gained recognition as a significant factor in enhancing athletic performance. This study aimed to deepen our understanding of athletes’ sleep chronotypes and provide a foundation for developing evidence-based training and competition programs. By comprehensively describing and analyzing the chronotype characteristics of Chinese professional athletes, considering individual and sports factors, sleep quality and habits, and mental energy, this research aimed to contribute valuable insights to the field. Methods A sample of 1069 professional athletes from sports teams in Shanghai completed the Athlete Sleep Screening Questionnaire and the Athlete Mental Energy Scale to assess chronotype, sleep quality, sleep-influencing habits, and mental energy. Results Among athletes, sleep typology fell within the intermediate range, slightly leaning toward morningness. Male athletes and those who engaged in static sports displayed a greater propensity for morningness. Age correlated with a preference for eveningness. High-level athletes exhibited a stronger inclination toward eveningness. Sleep quality issues were associated with an inclination toward eveningness. Daily caffeine intake and the habit of using electronic devices before bedtime are also linked to eveningness. Chronotype demonstrated the ability to predict various dimensions of athletes’ mental energy. It was the strongest predictor of vigor, but the loadings were smaller than those of sleep quality. Conclusion Chinese athletes’ chronotypes primarily exhibit distinct characteristics related to individual factors such as gender, sports discipline, and ranking, as well as habits like caffeine consumption and electronic device use. Moreover, these sleep patterns demonstrate predictive capabilities across all dimensions of athletes’ mental energy. This study sheds light on Chinese athletes’ unique sleep chronotype attributes, enriching our understanding of sleep patterns among professional athletes under various systems. These insights offer an initial basis for enhancing the effectiveness of athlete scheduling and training management.

A recommendation system is a system that provides suggestions or recommendations to a product or service for its users. One of the problems encountered in the recommendation system is sparsity, namely the lack of available data for analysis, resulting in poor performance of the recommendation system because it cannot provide the proper recommendations. On this basis, this study proposes the mean method and the stochastic hot-deck method to calculate missing values to improve the quality of the recommendations. The experimental results show that the hot-deck imputation method gives better results than the mean imputation method with smaller RMSE and MAE values, namely 2,706 and 2,691.

The development of renewable energy is a significant global factor in the achievement of a green economic recovery after the epidemic, and to enhance sustainable social development in the future. However, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries are experiencing regional differences in renewable energy development owing to the different economic and social levels. It is of theoretical and practical significance to assess the situation of renewable energy development in BRI countries, in order to identify the advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy development and to enhance energy cooperation between countries. In this paper, a multidimensional assessment for BRI countries (47 countries/regions across Asia, Europe, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania) was carried out based on empirical data, (including institutional, economic, technological, energy and environmental facets). The Entropy Weight Method and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) were selected to assess the level of renewable energy development in BRI countries during the period 2009–2017. The results demonstrated that BRI countries/regions had a low overall level of renewable energy development during the study period, but a stable and rising development trend was identifiable. For example, certain countries/regions (e.g. Mainland China, Indonesia, Pakistan, Russia, South Africa and New Zealand) experienced significant growth during the period. When analyzed by continents, the Americas and Oceania had the highest level of renewable energy development, followed by Europe, with Asia and Africa ranking lowest. Europe and Oceania’s notable advantages in “institutional and economic facets” were primarily as a result of the enhanced governance capability and superior economic development. The superior maturity of renewable energy technology in the Americas and Oceania contributes to the superior performance in the “technological facet”. The countries with superior development in the “energy and environmental facets” are located in Asia, Oceania and Europe.

Abstract The CRISPR–Cas9 system is a widely used gene-editing tool, offering unprecedented opportunities for treating various diseases. Controlling Cas9/dCas9 activity at specific location and time to avoid undesirable effects is very important. Here, we report a conditionally active CRISPR–Cas9 system that regulates target gene expression upon sensing cellular environmental change. We conjugated the oxygen-sensing transcription activation domain (TAD) of hypoxia-inducing factor (HIF-1α) with the Cas9/dCas9 protein. The Cas9-TAD conjugate significantly increased endogenous target gene cleavage under hypoxic conditions compared with that under normoxic conditions, whereas the dCas9-TAD conjugate upregulated endogenous gene transcription. Furthermore, the conjugate system effectively downregulated the expression of SNAIL, an essential gene in cancer metastasis, and upregulated the expression of the tumour-related genes HNF4 and NEUROD1 under hypoxic conditions. Since hypoxia is closely associated with cancer, the hypoxia-dependent Cas9/dCas9 system is a novel addition to the molecular tool kit that functions in response to cellular signals and has potential application for gene therapeutics.

Abstract Joshimath has received much attention for its massive ground subsidence at the beginning of the year. Rapid urbanization and its unique geographical location may have been one of the factors contributing to the occurrence of this geological disaster. In high mountain valley areas, the complex occurrence mechanism and diverse disaster patterns of geological hazards highlight the inadequacy of manual monitoring. To address this problem, the inversion of deformation of the Joshimath surface in multiple directions can be achieved by multidimensional InSAR techniques. Therefore, in this paper, the multidimensional SBAS-InSAR technique was used to process the lift-track Sentinel-1 data from 2020 to 2023 to obtain the two-dimensional vertical and horizontal deformation rates and time series characteristics of the Joshimath ground surface. To discover the causes of deformation and its correlation with anthropogenic activities and natural disasters by analyzing the spatial and temporal evolution of surface deformation. The results show that the area with the largest cumulative deformation is located in the northeastern part of the town, with a maximum cumulative subsidence of 271.2 mm and a cumulative horizontal movement of 336.5 mm. The spatial distribution of surface deformation is based on the lower part of the hill and develops towards the upper part of the hill, showing a trend of expansion from the bottom to the top. The temporal evolution is divided into two phases: gentle to rapid, and it is tentatively concluded that the decisive factor that caused the significant change in the rate of surface deformation and the early onset of the geological subsidence hazard was triggered by the 4.7 magnitude earthquake that struck near the town on 11 September 2021.

Supercritical power generation boilers often corrode in 650 °C water vapor. A study on chemical pre-oxidation protection of boiler steel surfaces was conducted to address this problem. Firstly, the TP347H boiler steel was placed in a tubular furnace with a flow rate of 20 mm/s of oxygen and oxidized for 2 h at 300 ℃. The protective effect of the oxide layer on the boiler steel was studied using the gravimetric method. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to observe the surface morphology of the material. Combined with the product composition analysis, the following conclusions were obtained: after 2 h of oxidation at 300 ℃, the thickness of the oxidation layer of TP347H boiler steel could reach 0.2 μm. This oxide layer reduced the corrosion rate of the material in 650 ℃ water vapor by 87.5% compared to the material without pre-oxidation. The corrosion products of the TP347H boiler steel without oxidation after corroded in high temperature water vapor could be divided into two layers: the surface layer was mainly the oxide of Fe, and the bottom layer was the oxide of Fe, Cr, and Ni. The bonding strength between the two layers was poor, and the outer layer products were easy to fall off. After the surface oxidation treatment, the corrosion products of the sample were only a monolayer. The corrosion products were mainly oxides of Fe, Cr and Ni. The bonding strength between the coating and the substrate was good, and the corrosion products were not easy to fall off.

Abstract The manipulation of polymeric micelles across extended-length scales is a key challenge in the design of integrated mesoporous materials with well-defined geometry and advanced functions. Herein, we demonstrate a modular assembly strategy to construct metal nanoparticle functionalized mesoporous carbon two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets by organizing zero-dimensional (0D) spherical monomicelle modules on the 2D supporting blocks. The modular assembly process involves two key steps: the “modularization” step is used to synthesize highly uniform metal–catecholamine (MC) complex functionalized monomicelle “modules” that can be conveniently assembled on the 2D supporting blocks (graphene oxide (GO), WS2, and MXene) in the following “assembly” step. After an annealing process, the resultant composites possess a single-layered 2D nanosheet surrounded by two single-layered mesoporous carbon at both sides and exhibit highly ordered mesostructures with large surface areas (~385 m2 g−1), tunable pore sizes (16–25 nm) and highly dispersed metal-containing nanoparticles. Due to the modularity of this assembly process, a range of metal species (Co, Fe, Ni, V, Cu, Pd, FeCo, CoNi, and FeCoNi) can be in-situ incorporated into the 2D mesoporous frameworks, which are partially embedded in the pore walls with the remaining part exposed in the pore channels. Benefiting from the unique textual structures, the resultant GO-derived functional mesoporous carbon nanosheets (Co as the functional species and being annealed at 850 °C) exhibit excellent electrocatalytic activity, long-term stability, and superior methanol tolerance for oxygen reduction reaction, which holds great potential as a catalyst for fuel cells.

A high-precision low-cost mid-infrared photoacoustic sensor for greenhouse composite gases based on aspherical beam shaping is proposed and demonstrated. The assembled optical source module and luminous characteristics of infrared source are innovatively investigated and analyzed with aspherical beam shaping. The proposed aspherical-beam-shaping-technique could effectively reduce optical loss and enhance system sensitivity, achieving an effective power utilization ratio of a radiation source of 91% and sidewall noise ratio of 8.9%. Experiments verify the 1.7 times improvement in responsivity and 50% enhancement in minimum detection limit (MDL) on average. In terms of comprehensive greenhouse gas composites and with short integration time of 1 s, MDLs of CO2, CH4, N2O, NF3, SF6, PFC-14, and HFC-134a are 73 ppb, 267 ppb, 72 ppb, 81 ppb, 14 ppb, 9 ppb and 115 ppb, respectively. Furthermore, a 48 h continuous monitoring of H2O, CO2 and CH4 in the atmosphere is conducted and verifies the performance of the gas sensor. The developed sensor allows for the rapid route of low-cost and high-precision detection of multiple greenhouse gases.

El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar el efecto de tres alimentos (T1=AQUATECH32, T2= CORINA28 y T3= AQUAPRO32) en el crecimiento, asimilación alimenticia e índices de bienestar de juveniles de paco, Piaractus brachypomus (25.2 ± 0.55 g) cultivados durante 46 días. El experimento se realizó en el Fundo El Gavilán, ubicado en el km 7 de la carretera Yurimaguas- Munichis. Noventa peces fueron asignados equitativa y aleatoriamente en nueve jaulas de 1 m3 y cada alimento fue asignado aleatoriamente y evaluados por triplicado. Los peces fueron alimentados dos veces al día con una tasa de alimentación inicial de 8% en los primeros 32 días, luego de la cual se reajustó a 7% hasta el final del experimento. Se realizaron monitoreos biométricos cada 15 días para evaluar el crecimiento y reajustar las raciones. Al final del experimento AQUATECH32 y AQUAPRO32 produjeron mayores índices de crecimiento (GP, GPD, TCE y TCR) que la dieta de la línea CORINA28, sin embargo, de acuerdo al ANOVA, no hubo diferencias significativas (P>0.05), como tampoco las hubo para los índices de asimilación alimenticia y de bienestar. De acuerdo a los resultados, se podría utilizar cualquiera de los tres alimentos ya que el rendimiento productivo es similar.

Background & Aims: Type 2 diabetes accounts for 95% of all diabetes cases worldwide, and its prevalence continues to rise. The constant management of blood glucose levels can be burdensome, further deteriorating patients' quality of life. This study aims to determine the effect of transitional nursing care on the quality of life among adults with type 2 diabetes. Methods & Materials: We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to determine the effectiveness of transitional nursing care on the quality of life of adults with type 2 diabetes. We searched for published Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) on PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library. The process of study selection spanned from March 2023 to April 2023. Data synthesis was performed using Review Manager 5.4 to generate pooled effect size estimates. Results: A total of six studies were included in our analysis. Our results showed that transitional care significantly improved the quality of life of adults with type 2 diabetes (SMD= 0.55, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.95, Z= 2.72, p= 0.007). Compared to usual care, transitional care also significantly lowered HbA1c levels (MD= -0.39, 95% CI: -0.70, -0.07, Z= 2.41, p= 0.02). Conclusion: Our research identified that transitional nursing care significantly improved the quality of life among adults with type 2 diabetes. Nurses should take into account our positive findings when implementing this care model for these patients. We suggest that future researchers carry out more studies with a focus on transitional nursing care for patients with type 2 diabetes to investigate its impacts further.

Introdução: A esporotricose disseminada, rara em hospedeiros imunocompetentes, possui apresentações clínicas mais graves, maior carga fúngica e necessidade de terapia antifúngica sistêmica mais longa. Este trabalho objetiva apresentar um caso raro de esporotricose óssea disseminada em paciente imunocompetente. Descrição do caso: Paciente masculino, 33 anos, usuário de crack, maconha, alta carga tabágica e alcoólica, morador de zona metropolitana. Iniciou febre persistente (40°C) um dia após acampar em floresta, sem sintomas associados. Após 20 dias, sofreu trauma laboral em hálux esquerdo que evoluiu com infecção secundária profunda. Concomitantemente, surgiram lesões papulares, hiperemiadas, diminutas, esparsas em pele que evoluíram em aproximadamente 4 dias para lesões maiores (4 a 7 cm), dolorosas, não pruriginosas, com halo eritematoso, aspecto descamativo, seco, centro necrótico e ulcerado, com drenagem purulenta. Não apresentou lesões genitais, corrimento uretral e linfonodomegalia. Fez uso tópico de neomicina e diversas antibioticoterapias, sem sucesso. Foi adimitido em nosso serviço dois meses após o início dos sintomas. RNM do pé esquerdo confirmou osteomielite no sítio da lesão de hálux, com múltiplos pequenos focos nodulares ≥1 cm esparsos pela medular óssea dos segmentos examinados, com hipersinal periférico, sinal intermediário em T1 e aspecto em alvo em T2, sem evidência de fraturas. RNM de corpo inteiro demonstrou lesões similares em vértebras e epífises bilaterais de ossos longos. O raspado de lesão cutânea evidenciou fungo dimórfico, com crescimento de Sporothrix em cultura. Hemoculturas (3) negativas. Sorologias para paracoccidioidomicose e histoplasmose negativas, VDRL reagente 1/64, demais sorologias negativas. Foi realizado tratamento com anfotericina B lipossomal 200 mg/dia por 30 dias (dose acumulada de 6g), evoluiu com IRA KDIGO 2, optando-se por transacionar tratamento para uso de itraconazol 200 mg 12/12h VO+anfotericina B lipossomal 3 frascos 3 × /semana em hospital-dia. Paciente evoluiu com melhora clínica progressiva. Comentários: A esporotricose óssea, apesar de rara, pode acometer hospedeiros imunocompetentes. Para instauração desse quadro é teorizada a necessidade de depressão imunológica, ainda que momentânea e por vezes não identificada. É uma condição crônica, desafiadora, com tratamento prolongado, prognóstico ruim e possíveis sequelas, devendo ser prontamente identificada para diagnóstico precoce e tratamento adequado.

Introdução: As características clínicas da leishmaniose dependem das propriedades do parasita (infecciosidade, patogenicidade, virulência) e fatores do hospedeiro (idade, estado nutricional, imunidade inata e celular). A reativação espontânea da leishmaniose, rara em pacientes imunocompetentes, geralmente ocorre devido à resistência a medicamentos ou inadequação terapêutica. Este relato de caso objetiva demonstrar uma apresentação rara de leishmaniose. O quadro é atípico pelo envolvimento da epiglote e evolução inesperada para um paciente imunocompetente. Descrição do caso: Paciente masculino, 51 anos, lavrador aposentado, tabagista 56 maços-ano, residiu em Marabá-PA por 30 anos, com histórico de leishmaniose cutânea aos 14 anos (lesões ulceradas crônicas em face e membros). Em 2010, apresentou febres vespertinas, emagrecimento, tosse e odinofagia, com ressurgimento de lesões em região nasal e cavidade oral em 2014. Foi tratado em 2018 com anfotericina B lipossomal 2700mg e em 2019, por recidiva, com nova dose 2500mg. Em 2022, interna por quadro de disfagia, odinofagia, disfonia, escarros hemoptóicos, perda ponderal e febre vespertina, com lesão erosiva em septo e desabamento de pirâmide nasal. Escarro e baciloscopia para tuberculose negativos. Tomografia mostra palato mole deslocado e aderido à parede posterior da rinofaringe, com obliteração da coluna aérea; epiglote não caracterizada, formação tecidual de aspecto expansivo em sua topografia e obliteração subtotal da valécula. À laringoscopia: importante deformação anatômica com ausência de epiglote, extensas áreas infiltradas com granulações e placas de fibrina em cordas vocais. Biópsia incisional da lesão laríngea evidenciou inflamação crônica inespecífica com presença de escassas amastigotas. Evoluiu com necessidade de traqueostomia e gastrostomia e realizado novo tratamento com anfotericina B lipossomal 3000 mg. Apresentou boa evolução clínica, recebendo alta para seguimento ambulatorial. Comentários: A leishmaniose mucocutânea pode simular condições infecciosas e neoplásicas, tornando o diagnóstico desafiador. A falha no diagnóstico precoce e a inadequação terapêutica podem resultar em pior prognóstico e maior chance de recidiva. Ambos os fatores foram determinantes na evolução do caso relatado e na disfunção orotraqueal perpetuada no paciente. Por fim, o tratamento, quando corretamente instituído, gera excelente resposta clínica e laboratorial, sendo imprescindível à contenção do quadro.

Breakthrough infection of SARS-CoV-2 is a serious challenge, as increased infections were documented in fully-vaccinated individuals. Recipients with poor antibody response are highly vulnerable to reinfection, whereas those with strong antibody responses achieve sterilizing immunity. Thus far, biomarkers associated with levels of vaccine-elicited antibody response are still lacking. Here, we studied the antibody response of age- and gender-controlled healthy cohort, who received inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and profiled the B cell receptor repertoires in longitudinally consecutive samples. Upon vaccination, all vaccinated individuals displayed a convergent antibody response with shared common antibody clones and public neutralizing antibodies. Strikingly, poor vaccine-responders are distinguishable from strong vaccine-responders by a biased V-usage before vaccination and IgG to IgM mRNA ratio. These findings reveal molecular signatures associated with the different levels of vaccine-induced antibody response, which could be further developed into biomarkers for the design of vaccination strategies.

A thin-walled sandwich structure filled with polyurethane is introduced. Based on the hyperelastic constitutive model of polyurethane, the energy absorption characteristics of the structure are studied and compared with single-layer and double-layer thin-walled steel circular tubes. Applying quasi-static load and dynamic load to the three structures, the deformation mode, energy absorption characteristic parameters, crushing force and stroke efficiency of the three structures are obtained. The results show that under quasi-static loading, the thin-walled circular tube filled with polyurethane produces axisymmetric deformation, and the average load and specific energy absorption are higher than the other two structures. Under dynamic loading, the stroke efficiency of thin-walled circular tube filled with polyurethane is small, but the average load and specific energy absorption are higher than the other two structures.

In this study Ginkgo biloba leaves (GBL) decoction and commercial capsules were digested using an in vitro model. Thirty-six active compounds were identified and quantified by HPLC-ESI-MS analysis based on the MS/MS patterns (precursor ions and product ions) and retention times, in comparison with reference standards. Most compounds in GBL showed a significant decrease during intestinal digestion, with an exception of vanillic acid and biflavonoids. Bioaccessibility values of chemical compositions varied between decoction and capsules samples. Also, significant reductions of total flavonoids and total phenolic content was observed after in vitro digestion. Both, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazo-line-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) scavenging capacity decreased after gastric digestion, but increased during intestinal digestion. Nevertheless, different behaviour was observed in reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Compared to the pH of digestion, the influence of digestive enzymes on the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of GBL was relatively minor. Overall, these results may help provide a valid foundation for further investigations on bioactive compounds and the pharmacodynamics of GBL.

Hepatocytes are very difficult to expand in vitro. Here the authors discover that IL6 promotes long-term expansion (>30 passages) of primary mouse hepatocytes in vitro by converting the cells into hepatic progenitor cells, which maintain full capacity of differentiation into hepatocytes.

Abstract Background Opioid-reduced anesthesia may accelerate postoperative rehabilitation by reducing opioid-related side effects. The objective was to investigate the feasibility of opioid-reduced general anesthesia based on esketamine and to observe postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), postoperative pain, hemodynamics and other adverse reactions in gynecological day surgery compared with the traditional opioid-based anesthesia program. Method This study was conducted as a prospective parallel-group randomized controlled trial. A total of 141 adult women undergoing gynecological day surgery were included. Patients were randomly assigned to receive traditional opioid-based anesthesia (Group C) with alfentanil, or opioid-reduced anesthesia (a moderate-opioid group (Group MO) and low-opioid group (Group LO) with esketamine and alfentanil). For anesthesia induction, the three groups received 20, 20, 10 μg/kg alfentanil respectively and Group LO received an additional 0.2 mg/kg esketamine. For maintenance of anesthesia, the patients in Group C received 40 μg/kg/h alfentanil, and those in Group MO and Group LO received 0.5 mg/kg/h esketamine. Results Patients in the three groups had comparable clinical and surgical data. A total of 33.3% of patients in Group C, 18.4% of patients in Group MO and 43.2% of patients in Group LO met the primary endpoint (p = 0.033), and the incidence of nausea within 24 hours after surgery in Group MO was lower than in Group LO (p

Inflammation of brain endothelial cells is seen in neurodegenerative conditions and in aging. Here the authors examine the role of astrocytes in blood brain barrier function using an iPSC-derived cell co-culture model.

【Objective】 Irrigation and fertigation control not only plant growth but also accumulation and partition of dry matters in both above- and below-ground parts. In this paper, we investigated the effect of film-mulched fertigation on accumulation and translocation of dry matter in above-ground part of cotton. 【Method】 The experiment was conducted at a saline-alkali cotton field in Xinjiang. The cotton was top-dressed by N, P2O5 and K2O at different N∶P2O5∶K2O ratios: 0∶0∶0 (CK), 1∶1∶1 (A), 1∶0.25∶1.25 (B), 1∶0.4∶0.27 (C), 1∶0.23∶0.20 (D), 1∶0.34∶0.23 (E), and 1∶0.17∶0 (F). The fertilizers in all treatments were drip-irrigated with the emitter mulched by film. The accumulation and translocation of the dry matter in leaf, stem and bud bell was measured in each treatment, and a dynamic model was proposed to calculate change in the accumulation and translocation. 【Result】 As the cotton grew, the accumulation of dry matter increased first followed by a fall, regardless of the treatments. For individual organs, the dry matter index for the leave increased first followed a decline. In contrast, the index for stem decreased continually, while that for the bud and bell increased monotonically. The dynamic model established based on dry matter accumulation and translocation in each organ measured at different stages matched well with the literature results, with R2 ranging from 0.775 5 to 0.992 8. Compared with CK, the treatment A, B, C, D and E and F increased maximum accumulation rate of the dry matter by 11.21%, 11.32%, 13.22%, 4.22%, 14.30% and 10.05%, respectively, while reduced dry matter accumulation time by 4.98%, 3.09%, 3.66%, 2.07%, 4.97% and 3.85%, respectively. Seed yield and utilization efficiency of fertilizers were closely related to the growth parameters of the dry matter accumulation. 【Conclusion】 Treatment E was optimal for dry material accumulation in the above-ground part and its translocations to different organs of the cotton under film-mulched drip fertigation.

The role of a fatty acyl-CoA reductase (PsFAR) in wax biosynthesis of cotton mealybug is investigated, RNAi against PsFAR resulted in insects with lower generation of waxy filaments and higher mortality under desiccation and deltamethrin treatments.

Multi-chambered structures have attracted great attention due to their ability to create multifunctional partitions in different chambers. Here, the authors prepared mesoporous silica nanoreactors with hierarchical chambers for catalytic cascades.

In this paper, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a symmetric multi-resonant cavity photoacoustic cell (MR-PAC) with dual microphones detection, based on multi-resonator photoacoustic spectroscopy (MR-PAS). The designed photoacoustic cell contains three interconnected acoustic resonators to facilitate simultaneous control of three lasers for multi-gas sensing. Two microphones are symmetrically located at both sides of photoacoustic cell to implement two-point detection. The length of acoustic resonator is about 50 mm to minimize the photoacoustic cell, and the resonant frequency is around 3000 Hz. Feasibility and performance of the MR-PAC was demonstrated by simultaneous detection of C2H2, NO and CF4 using a near infrared diode laser and two mid infrared quantum cascade lasers. The minimum detection limits (MDLs) of C2H2, NO and CF4 are 480 ppb, 260 ppb and 0.57 ppb respectively with a 1 s integration time at normal atmospheric pressure. This minimized MR-PAS system is promising for the portable multi-gas sensing.

Diabetes is a major cause of morbidity and premature mortality worldwide and now identified as a ‘public health emergency’ and a ‘modern and preventable pandemic’. Indigenous populations are disproportionately affected by type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and associated complications. Student run free clinics (SRFCs) may play an important role in the prevention and management of T2DM. The primary objective of this scoping review was to investigate the opportunity for curriculum enhancement through the role and effectiveness of SRFCs in managing T2DM. Electronic databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, Science Direct and Cochrane Library were searched from inception to October 2022. Identified records from database literature searches were imported into Covidence®. Two independent reviewers screened and extracted the data. The research team collectively created a data charting table/form to standardize data collection. A narrative synthesis was used to summarize the evidence. Six studies (total of 319 participants) that met our eligibility criteria were included in this scoping review. SRFCs can provide high-quality diabetic care, especially for uninsured and economically weaker population. Preliminary evidence further indicate that shared medical appointments and telehealth may facilitate diabetic care especially during times where access to care may be difficult (e.g., COVID lockdown). However, no study included in the review explored or discussed family centred/culturally sensitive interventions. Hence, such interventions should be made part of the curriculum in the future with students in SRFCs exposed to such an approach.

Measurement(s) brain activity and eye movements measurement Technology Type(s) electroencephalography and eye-tracking Factor Type(s) electroencephalography (EEG) • eye-tracking (ET) Sample Characteristic - Organism Human Sample Characteristic - Location China

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is secreted by hepatocytes as a peptide hormone to regulate glucose and lipid metabolism. FGF21 promotes hepatic ketogenesis and increases ketone body utilization in starvation. Histones are the target molecules of nutrients in regulating hepatic metabolic homeostasis. However, the effect of ketone bodies on FGF21 expression and the involvement of histones in it is not clear yet. The present study observed the effects of β-hydroxybutyrate (β-OHB), the main physiological ketone body, on FGF21 expression in human hepatoma HepG2 cells in vitro and in mice in vivo, and the role of histone deacetylases (HDACs) in β-OHB-regulated FGF21 expression was investigated. The results showed that β-OHB significantly upregulated FGF21 gene expression and increased FGF21 protein levels while it inhibited HDACs’ activity in HepG2 cells. HDACs’ inhibition by entinostat upregulated FGF21 expression and eliminated β-OHB-stimulated FGF21 expression in HepG2 cells. Intraperitoneal injections of β-OHB in mice resulted in the elevation of serum β-OHB and the inhibition of hepatic HDACs’ activity. Meanwhile, hepatic FGF21 expression and serum FGF21 levels were significantly increased in β-OHB-treated mice compared with the control. It is suggested that β-OHB upregulates FGF21 expression through inhibition of HDACs’ activity in hepatocytes.

Here the authors couple an integrative genomic analysis with substantial in vitro and in vivo experimental validation, identifying REST as a novel suppressor of a pro-regenerative gene program and CNS axon regeneration in mice.

Abstract The development of barbed-spring locks in ancient China has a history of more than 2000 years. With the development of the design and manufacturing techniques in ancient China, the safety of locks has gotten better and better. Since the seventeenth century, the puzzle lock, with a complicated structure and a high difficulty in opening, was gradually developed and used. The puzzle lock needs specific steps to be opened. Based on the difficulty of the opening process, traditional Chinese puzzle locks can be partition into two sorts, namely, general puzzle locks and complex puzzle locks. As the structure of the puzzle lock will change during the opening process, the puzzle lock belongs to the reconfigurable mechanism. In this paper, a method of topology matrix is provided to analyze the structure of the complex puzzle lock during systematical operation. Firstly, the characteristics and types of general puzzle locks are explained, and then the topology matrix representation is introduced. Finally, four complex puzzle locks are taken as examples, to illustrate the opening process. There are various types of complex puzzle locks, and the mechanism designs are quite ingenious and interesting, which shows the extraordinary technique and ingenuity of the ancient craftsmen.