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Abstract Background Soybean is a major oil crop; the nutritional components of soybean oil are mainly controlled by unsaturated fatty acids (FA). Unsaturated FAs mainly include oleic acid (OA, 18:1), linoleic acid (LLA, 18:2), and linolenic acid (LNA, 18:3). The genetic architecture of unsaturated FAs in soybean seeds has not been fully elucidated, although many independent studies have been conducted. A 3 V multi-locus random single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-effect mixed linear model (3VmrMLM) was established to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and QTL-by-environment interactions (QEIs) for complex traits. Results In this study, 194 soybean accessions with 36,981 SNPs were calculated using the 3VmrMLM model. As a result, 94 quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) and 19 QEIs were detected using single-environment (QTN) and multi-environment (QEI) methods. Three significant QEIs, namely rs4633292, rs39216169, and rs14264702, overlapped with a significant single-environment QTN. Conclusions For QTNs and QEIs, further haplotype analysis of candidate genes revealed that the Glyma.03G040400 and Glyma.17G236700 genes were beneficial haplotypes that may be associated with unsaturated FAs. This result provides ideas for the identification of soybean lipid-related genes and provides insights for breeding high oil soybean varieties in the future.

The utilization of saline land is a global challenge, and cultivating salt-tolerant soybean varieties is beneficial for improving the efficiency of saline land utilization. Exploring the genetic basis of salt-tolerant soybean varieties and developing salt-tolerant molecular markers can effectively promote the process of soybean salt-tolerant breeding. In the study, the membership function method was used to evaluate seven traits related to salt tolerance and comprehensive salt tolerance at the soybean seedling stage; genome-wide association analysis (GWAS) was performed in a natural population containing 200 soybean materials; and linkage analysis was performed in 112 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) population to detect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) of salt tolerance. In the GWAS, 147 SNPs were mapped, explaining 5.28–17.16% of phenotypic variation. In the linkage analysis, 10 QTLs were identified, which could explain 6.9–16.16% of phenotypic variation. And it was found that there were two co-located regions between the natural population and the RIL population, containing seven candidate genes of salt tolerance in soybean. In addition, one colocalization interval was found to contain qZJS-15-1, rs47665107, and rs4793412, all of which could explain more than 10% of phenotypic variation rates, making it suitable for molecular marker development. The physical positions of rs47665107 and rs47934112 were included in qZJS-15-1. Therefore, a KASP marker was designed and developed using Chr. 15:47907445, which was closely linked to the qZJS-15-1. This marker could accurately and clearly cluster the materials of salt-tolerant genotypes in the heterozygous population tested. The QTLs and KASP markers found in the study provide a theoretical and technical basis for accelerating the salt-tolerant breeding of soybean.

Abstract Background Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr) is an important source of human food, animal feed, and bio-energy. Although the genetic network of lipid metabolism is clear in Arabidopsis, the understanding of lipid metabolism in soybean is limited. Results In this study, 30 soybean varieties were subjected to transcriptome and metabolome analysis. In total, 98 lipid-related metabolites were identified, including glycerophospholipid, alpha-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, glycolysis, pyruvate, and the sphingolipid pathway. Of these, glycerophospholipid pathway metabolites accounted for the majority of total lipids. Combining the transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses, we found that 33 lipid-related metabolites and 83 lipid-related genes, 14 lipid-related metabolites and 17 lipid-related genes, and 12 lipid-related metabolites and 25 lipid-related genes were significantly correlated in FHO (five high-oil varieties) vs. FLO (five low-oil varieties), THO (10 high-oil varieties) vs. TLO (10 low-oil varieties), and HO (15 high-oil varieties) vs. LO (15 low-oil varieties), respectively. Conclusions The GmGAPDH and GmGPAT genes were significantly correlated with lipid metabolism genes, and the result revealed the regulatory relationship between glycolysis and oil synthesis. These results improve our understanding of the regulatory mechanism of soybean seed oil improvement.

Soybean vegetable oil is an important source of the human diet. However, the analysis of the genetic mechanism leading to changes in soybean oil content is still incomplete. In this study, a total of 227 soybean materials were applied and analyzed by a genome-wide association study (GWAS). There are 44 quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) that were identified as associated with oil content. A total of six, four, and 34 significant QTN loci were identified in Xiangyang, Hulan, and Acheng, respectively. Of those, 26 QTNs overlapped with or were near the known oil content quantitative trait locus (QTL), and 18 new QTNs related to oil content were identified. A total of 594 genes were located near the peak single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) from three tested environments. These candidate genes exhibited significant enrichment in tropane, piperidine, and pyridine alkaloid biosynthesiss (ko00960), ABC transporters (ko02010), photosynthesis-antenna proteins (ko00196), and betalain biosynthesis (ko00965). Combined with the GWAS and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), four candidate genes (Glyma.18G300100, Glyma.11G221100, Glyma.13G343300, and Glyma.02G166100) that may regulate oil content were identified. In addition, Glyma.18G300100 was divided into two main haplotypes in the studied accessions. The oil content of haplotype 1 is significantly lower than that of haplotype 2. Our research findings provide a theoretical basis for improving the regulatory mechanism of soybean oil content.

Protein content (PC) is crucial to the nutritional quality of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill]. In this study, a total of 266 accessions were used to perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in three tested environments. A total of 23,131 high-quality SNP markers (MAF ≥ 0.02, missing data ≤ 10%) were identified. A total of 40 association signals were significantly associated with PC. Among them, five novel quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) were discovered, and another 32 QTNs were found to be overlapping with the genomic regions of known quantitative trait loci (QTL) related to soybean PC. Combined with GWAS, metabolome and transcriptome sequencing, 59 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that might control the change in protein content were identified. Meantime, four commonly upregulated differentially abundant metabolites (DAMs) and 29 commonly downregulated DAMs were found. Remarkably, the soybean gene Glyma.08G136900, which is homologous with Arabidopsis hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins (HRGPs), may play an important role in improving the PC. Additionally, Glyma.08G136900 was divided into two main haplotype in the tested accessions. The PC of haplotype 1 was significantly lower than that of haplotype 2. The results of this study provided insights into the genetic mechanisms regulating protein content in soybean.

IntroductionGlyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is an essential key enzyme in the glycolytic pathway and plays an important role in stress responses. Although GAPDH family genes have been found in different plant species, the determination of their gene family analysis and their functional roles in soybean are still unknown. MethodsIn this study, gene sequence and expression data were obtained using online tools, and systematic evolution, expression profile analysis, and qRT-PCR analysis were conducted.Results and DiscussionHere a total of 16 GmGAPDH genes were identified on nine chromosomes, which were classified into three clusters. Additionally, all GmGAPDH genes harbor two highly conserved domains, including Gp_dh_N (PF00044) and Gp_dh_C (PF02800). The qRTPCR analysis also showed that most GmGAPDH genes significantly responded to multiple abiotic stresses, including NaHCO3, polyethylene glycol, cold, and salt. Among them, GmGAPDH14 was extraordinarily induced by salt stress. The GmGAPDH14 gene was cloned and overexpressed through soybean hair roots. The overexpressed transgenic soybean plants of the GmGAPDH14 gene have also shown better growth than that of control plants. Moreover, the overexpressed transgenic plants of GmGAPDH14 gene had higher activities of superoxide dismutase but lower malonaldehyde (MDA) content than those of control plants under salt stress. Meanwhile, a total of four haplotypes were found for the GmGAPDH14 gene, and haplotypes 2, 3, and 4 were beneficial for the tolerance of soybean to salt stress. These results suggest that the GmGAPDH14 gene might be involved in the process of soybean tolerance to salt stress. The results of this study will be valuable in understanding the role of GAPDH genes in the abiotic stress response of soybean.

To maximize the benefits of wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) processes, the effect of post-deposition heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of WAAM AZ80M magnesium (Mg) alloy was investigated. Three different heat treatment procedures (T4, T5 and T6) were performed. According to the results, after T4 heat treatment, the microsegregation of alloying elements was improved with the eutectic structure dissolved. Samples after T5 heat treatment inherited the net-like distribution of secondary phases similar to the as-deposited sample, where the eutectic structure covering the interdendritic regions and the β-phase precipitated around the eutectic structure. After T6 heat treatment, the tiny β-phases re-precipitated from the matrix and distributed in inner and outer of the grains. The hardness distribution of the samples went through T4 and T6 heat treatment was more uniform in comparison to that of T5 heat treated samples. The tensile test showed that the T6 heat treatment improved the strength and ductility, and the anisotropy between horizontal and vertical can be eliminated. Moreover, T4 treated samples exhibited highest ductility.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) is an efficient method to detect quantitative trait locus (QTL), and has dissected many complex traits in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Although these results have undoubtedly played a far-reaching role in the study of soybean biology, environmental interactions for complex traits in traditional GWAS models are frequently overlooked. Recently, a new GWAS model, 3VmrMLM, was established to identify QTLs and QTL-by-environment interactions (QEIs) for complex traits. In this study, the GLM, MLM, CMLM, FarmCPU, BLINK, and 3VmrMLM models were used to identify QTLs and QEIs for tocopherol (Toc) content in soybean seed, including δ‐Tocotrienol (δ‐Toc) content, γ‐Tocotrienol (γ‐Toc) content, α‐Tocopherol (α‐Toc) content, and total Tocopherol (T-Toc) content. As a result, 101 QTLs were detected by the above methods in single-environment analysis, and 57 QTLs and 13 QEIs were detected by 3VmrMLM in multi-environment analysis. Among these QTLs, some QTLs (Group I) were repeatedly detected three times or by at least two models, and some QTLs (Group II) were repeatedly detected only by 3VmrMLM. In the two Groups, 3VmrMLM was able to correctly detect all known QTLs in group I, while good results were achieved in Group II, for example, 8 novel QTLs were detected in Group II. In addition, comparative genomic analysis revealed that the proportion of Glyma_max specific genes near QEIs was higher, in other words, these QEIs nearby genes are more susceptible to environmental influences. Finally, around the 8 novel QTLs, 11 important candidate genes were identified using haplotype, and validated by RNA-Seq data and qRT-PCR analysis. In summary, we used phenotypic data of Toc content in soybean, and tested the accuracy and reliability of 3VmrMLM, and then revealed novel QTLs, QEIs and candidate genes for these traits. Hence, the 3VmrMLM model has broad prospects and potential for analyzing the genetic structure of complex quantitative traits in soybean.

Soybean frogeye leaf spot (FLS) is a worldwide fungal disease. Its higher occurrence frequency and wider distribution range always led to severe yield losses of soybean, therefore, breeding new cultivars with FLS resistance has been an important breeding goal for soybean breeders. In this study, an association panel of 183 representative soybean accessions was used to evaluate their resistance to FLS race 1, and to identify quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) and candidate genes based on genome-wide association study (GWAS) and high-throughput single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). A total of 23,156 high-quality SNPs were developed using the specific locus-amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq) approach. Finally, 13 novel association signals associated with FLS race 1 resistance were identified by the compressed mixed linear model (CMLM). In addition, 119 candidate genes were found within the 200-kb flanking genomic region of these 13 peak SNPs. Based on the gene-based association analysis, haplotype analysis, expression pattern analysis, and virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) systems, four genes (Glyma.05G121100, Glyma.17G228300, Glyma.19G006900, and Glyma.19G008700) were preliminarily proved to play an important role in the soybean resistance to FLS race 1.

Molecular signaling in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is complex, and crosstalk among various cell compartments in supporting metastasis remains poorly understood. In particular, the role of vascular pericytes, a critical cellular component in the TME, in cancer invasion and metastasis warrants further investigation. Here, we report that an elevation of FGF-2 signaling in samples from patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and xenograft mouse models promoted NPC metastasis. Mechanistically, tumor cell–derived FGF-2 strongly promoted pericyte proliferation and pericyte-specific expression of an orphan chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 14 (CXCL14) via FGFR1/AHR signaling. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments validated that pericyte-derived CXCL14 promoted macrophage recruitment and polarization toward an M2-like phenotype. Genetic knockdown of FGF2 or genetic depletion of tumoral pericytes blocked CXCL14 expression and tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) infiltration. Pharmacological inhibition of TAMs by clodronate liposome treatment resulted in a reduction of FGF-2–induced pulmonary metastasis. Together, these findings shed light on the inflammatory role of tumoral pericytes in promoting TAM-mediated metastasis. We provide mechanistic insight into an FGF-2/FGFR1/pericyte/CXCL14/TAM stromal communication axis in NPC and propose an effective antimetastasis therapy concept by targeting a pericyte-derived inflammation for NPC or FGF-2hi tumors.

Isoflavones, one of the most important secondary metabolites produced by soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), are important for a variety of biological processes, and are beneficial for human health. To identify genetic loci underlying soybean isoflavone content, a mapping population containing 119 F5:18 recombinant inbred lines, derived by crossing soybean cultivar “Zhongdou27” with “Dongong8004,” was used. We identified 15 QTLs associated with isoflavone contents. A novel loci, qISO19-1, was mapped onto soybean chromosome 19 and was fine-mapped to a 62.8 kb region using a BC2F2 population. We considered GmMT1 as a candidate gene for the qISO19-1 locus due to the significant positive correlation recovered between its expression level and isoflavone content in the seeds of 43 soybean germplasms. Overexpression of GmMT1 in Arabidopsis and soybean cultivars increased isoflavone contents. Transgenic soybeans overexpressing GmMT1 also exhibited improved resistance to pathogenic infection, while transgenic Arabidopsis resisted salt and drought stress.

Tocopherol (Toc) occurs in soybean seeds and is extracted together with the soybean oil. Toc is utilized as an antioxidant in food and an additive in animal feed. A total of 180 representative accessions and 144 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from the cross of ‘Hefeng 25’ and ‘OAC Bayfield’ were selected to evaluate individuals and total Toc concentrations in soybean seeds. The 180 soybean samples were sequenced by the approach of Specific Locus Amplified Fragment Sequencing (SLAF-seq). A total of 22,611 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were developed. Nineteen quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) were identified associated with individual or total-Toc based on genome-wide association analysis (GWAS). Among them, three QTNs located near known QTLs, and 16 were novel. Eighteen QTLs and nine eQTLs were also detected by linkage mapping. The QTN rs9337368 on Chr.02 was colocalized according to the linkage mapping of the RILs and genome-wide association analysis and regarded as a stable locus for mining the candidate genes in association with Toc. A total of 42 candidate genes near the 200 kbp flanking region of this identified locus were found. Upon a gene-based association, 11 SNPs from five genes out of the 42 candidates were detected. Expression level analysis of five candidate genes revealed that two genes were significantly related to Toc content. The identified loci, along with the candidate genes, might be valuable for increasing the Toc concentration in soybean seeds and improving the nutritional value of soybean oil.

Abstract The cascade of correlated topological quantum states in the newly discovered vanadium-based kagome superconductors, AV3Sb5 (A = K, Rb, and Cs), with a Z2 topological band structure has sparked immense interest. Here, we report the discovery of superconductivity and electronic nematic order in high-quality single-crystals of a new titanium-based kagome metal, CsTi3Bi5, that preserves the translation symmetry, in stark contrast to the charge density wave superconductor AV3Sb5. Transport and magnetic susceptibility measurements show superconductivity with an onset superconducting transition temperature T c of approximately 4.8 K. Using the scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy and Josephson scanning tunneling spectroscopy, we demonstrate that the single crystals of CsTi3Bi5 exhibit two distinct superconducting gaps. Furthermore, the superconducting gaps break the six-fold crystal rotational symmetry down to two-fold. At low energies, we find that the quasiparticle interference patterns exhibit rotational-symmetry-breaking C2 patterns, revealing a nematic ordered normal state with the same nematic direction as in the superconducting state. Our findings uncover a novel superconducting state in CsTi3Bi5 and provide new insights for the intrinsic electron liquid crystal phases in kagome superconductors.

Abstract To solve the problem of controlling mining in the open-pit mine end slope fire-burned area, applying multivariate function fitting to the roof and floor modeling of multi-coal seam open pit mines, introducing the factor of coal quality changes in the fire-burned area, determining coal quality information at each location through proximate analysis of coal, to establish the net profit model of the mining area, it is determined the net profit of each mining position by numerical integration, the final mining position was determined without failure by calculating the slope stability based on the numerical simulation of strength reduction. Taking the Dananhu No. 2 open-pit mine in Hami, Xinjiang, China as the engineering background, the fire-burned area III within the southern end slope boundary of the first mining area is 240 m. It was finally determined that the optimal mining position is when the advancement degree is 182 m, the ultimate pit slope angle is 25°, the three-dimensional slope stability is 1.305, the profit is 671.96 million yuan, The deep boundary of the southern end slope fire-burned area of the slope is reduced by 58 m. This paper solves the problem of end slope mining in Dananhu No. 2 mine, and maximizes its net profit under the condition of ensuring safe production.

Abstract In this study, the Xgboost method is employed for TOC estimation in mixed carbonate and siliciclastic shale from the Hashan area, Junggar Basin. The results show that this approach is effective for TOC estimation in this area although the model performance is not very excellent with a correlation coefficient of 0.54 between measured TOC and predicted TOC values, likely due to a small samples dataset. Therefore, the PCA method is applied to debase dimension of well log data from five dimensional to two-dimensional data, which enhances the correlation coefficient between the predicted and measured TOC from 0.54 to 0.68. Based on the model, the isopleth maps of TOC distributions in Fengcheng Formation were redrawn showing two shale oil exploration targets, which likely correspond to two depositional centers of this strata. All the same, the model in this work provides reliable data for shale oil evaluation in the study area and a good example under similar geological setting.

AbstractContext Qinggong Shoutao Wan (QGSTW) is a pill used as a traditional medicine to treat age-associated memory decline (AAMI). However, its potential mechanisms are unclear.Objective This study elucidates the possible mechanisms of QGSTW in treating AAMI.Materials and methods Network pharmacology and molecular docking approaches were utilized to identify the potential pathway by which QGSTW alleviates AAMI. C57BL/6J mice were divided randomly into control, model, and QGSTW groups. A mouse model of AAMI was established by d-galactose, and the pathways that QGSTW acts on to ameliorate AAMI were determined by ELISA, immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting after treatment with d-gal (100 mg/kg) and QGSTW (20 mL/kg) for 12 weeks.Results Network pharmacology demonstrated that the targets of the active components were significantly enriched in the cAMP signaling pathway. AKT1, FOS, GRIN2B, and GRIN1 were the core target proteins. QGSTW treatment increased the discrimination index from −16.92 ± 7.06 to 23.88 ± 15.94% in the novel location test and from −19.54 ± 5.71 to 17.55 ± 6.73% in the novel object recognition test. ELISA showed that QGSTW could increase the levels of cAMP. Western blot analysis revealed that QGSTW could upregulate the expression of PKA, CREB, c-Fos, GluN1, GluA1, CaMKII-α, and SYN. Immunostaining revealed that the expression of SYN was decreased in the CA1 and DG.Discussion and conclusions This study not only provides new insights into the mechanism of QGSTW in the treatment of AAMI but also provides important information and new research ideas for the discovery of traditional Chinese medicine compounds that can treat AAMI.

Abstract α-Actinins play crucial roles in cytoskeletal mechanobiology by acting as force-bearing structural modules that orchestrate and sustain the cytoskeletal framework, serving as pivotal hubs for diverse mechanosensing proteins. The mechanical stability of α-actinin dimer, a determinant of its functional state, remains largely unexplored. Here, we directly quantify the force-dependent lifetimes of homo- and hetero-dimers of human α-actinins, revealing an ultra-high mechanical stability of the dimers associated with > 100 seconds lifetime within 40 pN forces under shear-stretching geometry. Intriguingly, we uncover that the strong dimer stability is arisen from much weaker sub-domain pair interactions, suggesting the existence of distinct dimerized functional states of the dimer, spanning a spectrum of mechanical stability, with the spectrin repeats (SRs) in folded or unfolded conformation. In essence, our study supports a potent mechanism for building strength in biomolecular dimers through weak, multiple sub-domain interactions, and illuminates multifaceted roles of α-actinin dimers in cytoskeletal mechanics and mechanotransduction.

BackgroundTraumatic brain injury (TBI) is a critical global health concern characterized by elevated rates of both morbidity and mortality. The pathological and physiological changes after TBI are closely related to microglia. Microglia, the primary immune cells in the brain, are closely linked to the mechanisms and treatment of TBI. With increasing research in this area, this study employs bibliometric analysis to identify current research hotspots and predict future trends.ObjectiveWe decided to perform a bibliometric analysis to provide a comprehensive overview of the advancements in microglia research related to traumatic brain injury. We aim to offer researchers insights into current trends and future research directions.MethodWe collected all articles and reviews related to microglia and traumatic brain injury published between 2000 and 2023 from the Web of Science Core Collection. These records were analyzed using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and the R package “bibliometrix”.ResultsWe retrieved 665 publications from 25 countries, with the majority contributed by the United States and China. The number of publications on traumatic brain injury and microglia has been steadily increasing each year. Our analysis highlighted the Journal of Neurotrauma and the Journal of Neuroinflammation as the most influential journals in this field. Alan I. Faden and David J. Loane are recognized as leading contributors. Keyword analysis indicates that neuroinflammation, microglial polarization, and neurodegenerative diseases are pivotal areas for future research.ConclusionIn recent years, research on TBI-related microglia has proliferated, with current studies primarily focusing on microglial involvement in neuroinflammation, neurodegenerative changes, and microglial polarization following TBI. Since neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration are two hallmark features of TBI, targeting microglia in TBI treatment may become a central focus for future research.

Introduction and importanceIntracranial dermoid cysts are rare, constituting 0.04% to 0.6% of all intracranial tumors. They often arise from ectodermal cells trapped during neural tube formation. We report a case of spontaneous rupture of a large tentorial epithelioid cyst, which caused massive dissemination of liquid cholesterol into the subarachnoid cisterns and ventricles.Presentation of caseA 28-year-old male presented with a two-week history of headache and memory decline. CT and MRI revealed a 9x6 cm lesion in the left frontotemporal region with widespread dissemination of lipid droplets. Surgical resection was performed using a microscope combined with a neuroendoscope. Pathology confirmed a dermoid cyst.Clinical discussionRuptured dermoid cysts can cause significant symptoms due to the dissemination of cyst contents. Imaging is crucial for diagnosis and surgical planning. The combined microscopic and neuroendoscopic approach minimized blind spots and allowed thorough tumor exposure, facilitating complete resection with minimal residual complications. Postoperative outcomes were favorable, with imaging confirming substantial tumor removal and restored cerebrospinal fluid circulation.ConclusionPrompt diagnosis and comprehensive surgical intervention are essential for managing ruptured intracranial dermoid cysts. Combined microscopic and neuroendoscopic techniques are effective in achieving extensive resection and reducing complications.

Arsenic is a widespread environmental contaminant known to accumulate in the brain, leading to cognitive impairment. However, the exact mechanisms by which arsenic causes cognitive deficits remain unclear. The present study aims to discover whether the destruction of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) mediated by matrix metalloproteinases 2 and matrix metalloproteinases 9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and subsequent neuronal apoptosis are involved in arsenic-induced cognitive impairment. Ninety male mice were given 0, 25, and 50 mg/L NaAsO2 in drinking water and 30 mg/kg doxycycline hyclate (DOX, an inhibitor of MMPs) gavage for 12 weeks to observe the alterations in learning and memory of mice, the morphology of hippocampal neurons, as well as the BBB permeability and ultrastructure, the localization and expression of tight junction proteins, MMP-2, and MMP-9. Our findings indicated that arsenic exposure induced learning and memory impairment in mice, accompanied by neuronal loss and apoptosis. Furthermore, arsenic exposure increased hematogenous IgG leakage into the brain, disrupted the tight junctions, reduced the expression of Claudin5, Occludin, and ZO1 in the endothelial cells, and increased the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the endothelial cells and astrocytes. Finally, DOX intervention preserved BBB integrity, alleviated hippocampal neuronal apoptosis, and improved cognitive impairment in mice caused by arsenic exposure. Our research demonstrates that cognitive disfunction in mice induced by arsenic exposure is associated with MMP-2 and MMP-9-mediated BBB destruction and neuronal apoptosis. The current investigation provides new insights into mechanisms of arsenic neurotoxicity and suggests that MMP-2 and MMP-9 may serve as potential therapeutic targets for treating arsenic-induced cognitive dysfunction in the future.

Abstract BackgroundPhysical therapy has demonstrated efficacy in managing nonspecific low back pain (NLBP) among patients. Nevertheless, the prevalence of NLBP poses a challenge, as the existing medical infrastructure may be insufficient to care for the large patient population, particularly in geographically remote regions. Telerehabilitation emerges as a promising method to address this concern by offering a method to deliver superior medical care to a greater number of patients with NLBP. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to demonstrate the physical and psychological effectiveness of a user-centered telerehabilitation program, consisting of a smartphone app and integrated sensors, for patients with NLBP. MethodsThis was a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial for individuals with NLBP for a duration exceeding 3 months. All participants were assigned randomly to either the telerehabilitation-based exercise group (TBEG) or the outpatient-based exercise group (OBEG). All participants completed a 30-minute regimen of strength and stretching exercises 3 times per week, for a total of 8 weeks, and were required to complete assessment questionnaires at 0, 2, 4, and 8 weeks. The TBEG completed home-based exercises and questionnaires using a telerehabilitation program, while the OBEG completed them in outpatient rehabilitation. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) served as the primary outcome measure, assessing physical disability. Secondary outcomes included the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire, and 36-item Short-Form Health Survey. ResultsIn total, 54 of 129 eligible patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to the study. The completion of all the interventions and assessments in the TBEG and OBEG was 89% (24/27) and 81% (22/27). The findings indicate that no statistical significance was found in the difference of ODI scores between the TBEG and the OBEG at 2 weeks (mean difference −0.91; odds ratio [OR] 0.78, 95% CI −5.96 to 4.14; PPPPP ConclusionsTelerehabilitation interventions demonstrate comparable therapeutic efficacy for individuals with NLBP when compared to conventional outpatient-based physical therapy, yielding comparable outcomes in pain reduction and improvement in functional limitations.

The integrated energy microgrid (IEM) plays a crucial role in supporting energy structural transformation and achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. However, IEM clusters, which comprise various forms of IEMs, often share connections with the same distribution network operator (DNO), leading to competitive tensions both within the cluster and between the cluster and the DNO. To mitigate these conflicts and promote low-carbon, cost-effective operations, this study introduces a double-layer game model. This model aims to minimize operational costs and maximize carbon emission reductions. The external layer applies the Stackelberg game with the DNO as the leader and the IEM cluster as the follower. The internal layer employs cooperative game theory to model interactions among multiple IEMs. Optimal electricity trading and pricing for each entity are determined using a combination of the bisection method and the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM). Additionally, a carbon trading mechanism is integrated into the model to balance economic and environmental objectives. The results indicate that the proposed double-layer game model facilitates a mutually beneficial scenario for both the DNO and the IEMs in terms of low carbon emissions and economic efficiency. This model provides a practical framework for effectively managing and coordinating interactions among multiple IEMs, thereby ensuring simultaneous economic and environmental advantages.

Abstract Background Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), a type of coronavirus, is one of the main pathogens that can infect pigs of all ages. It causes diarrhea and acute death of newborn piglets, resulting in massive economic losses to the worldwide swine industry. While vaccination remains the primary approach in combating PEDV, it often fails to address all the challenges posed by the infection, particularly in light of the emergence of evolving mutant strains. Therefore, there is a critical need to identify potent antiviral drugs that can effectively safeguard pigs against PEDV infection. Results In this study, the antiviral efficacy of SP2509, a specific antagonist of Lysine-specific demethylase 1(LSD1), was evaluated in vitro. The RT-qPCR, Western blot, TCID50, and IFA showed that at a concentration of 1µmol/L, SP2509 significantly inhibited PEDV infection. Additionally, viral life cycle assays showed that SP2509 operates by impeding PEDV internalization and replication rather than attachment and release. Regarding mechanism, in Huh-7 cells, knockdowns LSD1 can suppress PEDV replication. This indicated that the inhibition effect of SP2509 on PEDV largely depends on the activity of its target protein, LSD1. Conclusion Our results in vitro show that SP2509 can inhibit PEDV infection during the internalization and replication stage and revealed a role of LSD1 as a restriction factor for PEDV. These imply that LSD1 might be a target for interfering with the viral infection, and SP2509 could be developed as an effective anti-PEDV agent.

Abstract The formation of charge density waves is a long-standing open problem, particularly in dimensions higher than one. Various observations in the vanadium antimonides discovered recently further underpin this notion. Here, we study the Kagome metal CsV3Sb5 using polarized inelastic light scattering and density functional theory calculations. We observe a significant gap anisotropy with $$2{\Delta }_{\max }/{k}_{{{{{{{{\rm{B}}}}}}}}}{T}_{{{{{{{{\rm{CDW}}}}}}}}}\, \approx \, 20$$ 2 Δ max / k B T CDW ≈ 20 , far beyond the prediction of mean-field theory. The analysis of the A 1g and E 2g phonons, including those emerging below T CDW, indicates strong phonon-phonon coupling, presumably mediated by a strong electron-phonon interaction. Similarly, the asymmetric Fano-type lineshape of the A 1g amplitude mode suggests strong electron-phonon coupling below T CDW. The large electronic gap, the enhanced anharmonic phonon-phonon coupling, and the Fano shape of the amplitude mode combined are more supportive of a strong-coupling phonon-driven charge density wave transition than of a Fermi surface instability or an exotic mechanism in CsV3Sb5.

ABSTRACTUnderstanding the urbanization and transformation trajectories of resource-based cities (RBCs) is pivotal for China’s sustainable development goals. This study introduces a novel regression-based algorithm for assessing urbanization patterns. We delineated the urban boundaries of 335 cities and employed time-series nighttime light data from 2001 to 2020, shifting the analysis from a pixel-scale to an urban-scale perspective. Our analysis reveals distinct disparities within the 125 RBCs when compared to the national average, leading to their categorization. The key findings include: (1) Within Forest and Coal RBCs, numerous areas have stabilized after experiencing contraction. Geographically, a significant number of RBCs in the Northeast, North, and Northwest regions are experiencing or have experienced substantial urban shrinkage. The developmental status of RBCs exhibits a spatial positive correlation. (2) Although the government categorized RBCs based on their development level in 2013, findings suggest that this classification may no longer accurately reflect the current development status of RBCs in the context of urbanization. (3) Utilizing spectral clustering, we categorized RBCs into five types, identified 10 RBCs undergoing shrinkage and 30 cities trending towards stabilization post-shrinkage. This research offers a refined evaluative method for urbanization, providing insights beneficial for policy-making concerning RBCs’ sustainable growth..

BackgroundDiabetes is a significant global health concern, with a growing prevalence in Japan. Individuals with normal body mass index who are metabolically unhealthy exhibit an elevated risk of diabetes onset. Investigating the relationship between Metabolically Unhealthy Normal-weight (MUNW) status and the risk of diabetes in non-diabetic individual is vital for implementing early preventive strategies.MethodsUsing data from the NAGALA cohort, This study categorized 8,194 Japanese adults based on the score of metabolic syndrome (MetS) components they possessed. Cox proportional hazards regression models and multivariate logistic regression were used to assess the relationship between MUNW and the risk of developing diabetes, with analyses stratified by age and sex.ResultsDuring an average follow-up of 7.19 years, 123 participants (1.5%) were diagnosed with diabetes. Among the participants, 766 (9.35%) were classified as MUNW, and 157 (1.92%) as having MetS. Compared to those with no MetS components, individuals with 1, 2, and ≥3 MetS components had progressively higher adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for developing diabetes, at 4.56, 8.79, and 25.16, respectively. Further stratified analysis revealed that men aged ≤40 years had the highest risk of developing diabetes. For men, the adjusted HRs for having 1, 2, and ≥3 MetS components were 5.61, 7.80, and 28.59, respectively, and for participants aged ≤40 years, the HRs were 12.31, 25.57, and 129.82, respectively.ConclusionThe prevalence of MUNW in non-diabetic individuals in Japan is 9.35%. The score of MetS components was positively correlated with the risk of diabetes. Early intervention and lifestyle modifications are crucial, especially for MUNW individuals and notably young Japanese men aged ≤40 years, for the prevention and management of diabetes.

IntroductionAs an essential part of plant cell walls, lignin provides mechanical support for plant growth, enhances water transport, and helps to defend against pathogens. As the most abundant natural aromatic-based renewable resource on earth, its biosynthesis has always been a research focus, and it is still currently under study.MethodsIn this study, the p-coumaryl alcohol analog (HALK) and the coniferyl alcohol analog (GALK) containing an alkyne group at the ortho position were synthesized and applied to lignification in vivo and in vitro. The incorporation of these novel lignin monomers was observed via fluorescence imaging.Results and DiscussionIt was found that the two monolignol analogs could be incorporated in dehydrogenated polymers (DHPs) in vitro and in flax cell walls in vivo. The results showed that as the cultivation time and precursor concentration varied, the deposition of H and G-type lignin exhibited differences in deposition mode. At the subcellular scale, the deposited lignin first appears in the cell corner and the middle lamella, and then gradually appears on the cell walls. Furthermore, lignin was also found in bast fiber. It was demonstrated that these new molecules could provide high-resolution localization of lignin during polymerization.

Thermal stratification phenomena in SFRs and machine learning applications in nuclear system R&D have captured the community's attention. Existing methods, such as CFD, demand significant time and computational resources, hindering the timely prediction and management of thermal stratification in reactors. In response, this paper introduces a novel approach employing data-driven models for super real-time prediction of thermal stratification. Themodel aims to enhance the efficiency and speed of thermal stratification predictions. Refined flow field data were first obtained via CFD, revealing the transition mechanism between the dominant roles of inertial and buoyancy forces during thermal stratification formation. To select the optimal data-driven model, this paper employs the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) method to evaluate three algorithms - k-nearest neighbor (KNN), classification and regression tree (CART), and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) - basedon temperature data from a temperature probe. Evaluation reveals that the POD-KNN model offers notable improvements in prediction speed while ensuring consistent accuracy, outperforming traditional numerical simulation methods for super real-time thermal stratification prediction.

IntroductionEpilepsy is a common neurological condition that affects a large number of individuals worldwide. One of the primary challenges in epilepsy is the accurate and timely detection of seizure. Recently, the graph regularized broad learning system (GBLS) has achieved superior performance improvement with its flat structure and less time-consuming training process compared to deep neural networks. Nevertheless, the number of feature and enhancement nodes in GBLS is predetermined. These node settings are also randomly selected and remain unchanged throughout the training process. The characteristic of randomness is thus more easier to make non-optimal nodes generate, which cannot contribute significantly to solving the optimization problem.MethodsTo obtain more optimal nodes for optimization and achieve superior automatic detection performance, we propose a novel broad neural network named self-adaptive evolutionary graph regularized broad learning system (SaE-GBLS). Self-adaptive evolutionary algorithm, which can construct mutation strategies in the strategy pool based on the experience of producing solutions for selecting network parameters, is incorporated into SaE-GBLS model for optimizing the node parameters. The epilepsy seizure is automatic detected by our proposed SaE-GBLS model based on three publicly available EEG datasets and one private clinical EEG dataset.Results and discussionThe experimental results indicate that our suggested strategy has the potential to perform as well as current machine learning approaches.

IntroductionFengxiangxing Huairang Daqu (FHD) is one of the major types of Daqu in China. However, the relationship between the microbial community structure at different stages, the changes in the sensory characteristics, fermentation characteristics, volatiles, the most critical process point, and the quality formation of FHD is not clear.MethodsBased on microscopic characterization, PacBio SMRT sequencing, and HS-SPME-GC-MS volatile metabolite analysis revealed the relationship between FHD quality formation and the dynamics of Qupi.ResultsThe results showed that the 12th day of the culture was the most critical process point, highlighting the most significant differences in microbial community structure, sensory characteristics, fermentation characteristics, and flavor substances. Bacillus licheniformis (43.25%), Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula (35.05%), Thermoascus aurantiacus (76.51%), Aspergillus amstelodami (10.81%), and Saccharomycopsis fibuligera (8.88%) were the dominant species in FHD. S. fibuligera, A. amstelodami, and T. aurantiacus were associated with the snow-white color of the FHD epidermis, the yellow color of the interior, and the gray-white color, respectively. The abundance of T. aurantiacus, A. amstelodami, B. licheniformis, and S. rectivirgula was positively associated with the esterifying power and liquefying power of FHD. The abundance of T. aurantiacus and A. amstelodami was positively correlated with the saccharifying power of FHD. The abundance of S. fibuligera was positively related to the fermenting power of FHD. A total of 248 volatiles were detected in Qupi, mainly including alcohols, esters, aldehydes, and ketones. Of them, eleven volatiles had a significant effect on the flavor of Qupi, such as 1-butanol-3-methyl-, hydrazinecarboxamide, ethanol, phenylethyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, 2-octanone, 1-octen-3-ol, formic acid-hexyl ester, (E)-2-octen-1-ol, ethyl hexanoate, and 2(3H)-furanone-dihydro-5-pentyl-. The abundance of B. licheniformis, S. rectivirgula, T. aurantiacus, and S. fibuligera was positively correlated with the alcohols, aromatic compounds, and phenols in FHD. The abundance of S. fibuligera was positively correlated with the acids, esters, and hydrocarbons in FHD.DiscussionThese results indicate important theoretical basis and technical support for controllable adjustment of FHD microbial community structure, stable control of FHD quality, and precise, effective, and large-scale guidance of FHD production.

BackgroundThe cGAS-STING axis-mediated type I interferon pathway is a crucial strategy for host defense against DNA virus infection. Numerous evasion strategies developed by the pseudorabies virus (PRV) counteract host antiviral immunity. To what extent PRV-encoded proteins evade the cGAS-STING signaling pathway is unknown.MethodsUsing US2 stably expressing cell lines and US2-deficient PRV model, we revealed that the PRV tegument protein US2 reduces STING protein stability and downregulates STING-mediated antiviral signaling.ResultsTo promote K48-linked ubiquitination and STING degradation, US2 interacts with the LBD structural domain of STING and recruits the E3 ligase TRIM21. TRIM21 deficiency consistently strengthens the host antiviral immune response brought on by PRV infection. Additionally, US2-deficient PRV is less harmful in mice.ConclusionsOur study implies that PRV US2 inhibits IFN signaling by a new mechanism that selectively targets STING while successfully evading the host antiviral response. As a result, the present study reveals a novel strategy by which PRV evades host defense and offers explanations for why the Bartha-K61 classical vaccine strain failed to offer effective defense against PRV variant strains in China, indicating that US2 may be a key target for developing gene-deficient PRV vaccines.

IntroductionMaize/soybean intercropping is a common cropping practice in Chinese agriculture, known to boost crop yield and enhance soil fertility. However, the role of below-ground interactions, particularly root exudates, in maintaining intercropping advantages in soybean/maize intercropping systems remains unclear.MethodsThis study aimed to investigate the differences in root exudates between intercropping and monocropping systems through two pot experiments using metabolomics methods. Multiple omics analyses were conducted to explore correlations between differential metabolites and the community of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF), shedding light on the mechanisms underlying the dominance of intercropping from the perspective of root exudates-soil microorganism interactions.Results and discussionThe study revealed that intercropping significantly increased the types and contents of root exudates, lowered soil pH, increased the availability of nutrients like available nitrogen (AN) and available phosphorus (AP), and enhanced AMF colonization, resulting in improving the community composition of AMF. Besides, root exudates in intercropping systems differed significantly from those in monocropping, with 41 and 39 differential metabolites identified in the root exudates of soybean/maize, predominantly amino acids and organic acids. The total amount of amino acids in the root exudates of soybean intercropping was 3.61 times higher than in monocropping. Additionally, the addition of root exudates significantly improved the growth of soybean/maize and AMF colonization, with the mycorrhizal colonization rate in intercropping increased by 105.99% and 111.18% compared to monocropping, respectively. The identified metabolic pathways associated with root exudates were closely linked to plant growth, soil fertility improvement, and the formation of AMF. Correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship (P < 0.05) between certain metabolites such as tartaric acid, oxalic acid, malic acid, aspartic acid, alanine, and the AMF community. Notably, the photosynthetic carbon fixation pathway involving aspartic acid showed a strong association with the function of Glomus_f_Glomerace, the dominant genus of AMF. A combined analysis of metabolomics and high throughput sequencing revealed that the root exudates of soybean/maize intercropping have direct or indirect connections with AMF and soil nutrients.ConclusionThis suggests that the increased root exudates of the soybean/maize intercropping system mediate an improvement in AMF community composition, thereby influencing soil fertility and maintaining the advantage of intercropping.

Variable Speed Limit (VSL) is a promising highway traffic management strategy deployed worldwide. Most algorithms deployed operate based on a set of predefined rules which hinders their ability to perform optimally across diverse traffic conditions. Recent studies applying multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL) techniques to VSL control problems have shown promising results. However, none of the existing MARL frameworks comply with real-world requirements imposed by most traffic agencies across the United States. In this work, we propose MARVEL (Multi-Agent Reinforcement-learning for large-scale Variable spEed Limits), a novel MARL framework for large-scale VSL highway control with real-world deployment capabilities. MARVEL only relies on sensing information available in most real-world settings and learns through a reward structure that incorporates three abstract goals to ensure reasonable behaviors under different traffic conditions. Through parameter sharing among all VSL agents, the proposed framework scales to cover corridors equipped with multiple VSL gantries. The policies are trained in a microscopic traffic simulation environment, focusing on a short freeway stretch with 8 VSL agents spanning 7 miles. For testing, these policies are applied to a more extensive network with 34 VSL agents spanning 17 miles of Interstate 24 (I-24) near Nashville, Tennessee, the United States. MARVEL improves traffic safety by 63.4% compared to the no-control scenario and enhances traffic mobility by 58.6% compared to a state-of-the-practice algorithm that has been deployed on I-24. Finally, we test the response of the policy learned in simulation with real-world data collected from I-24 and illustrate its deployment capability.

Online reviews play a pivotal role in shaping consumer decisions on e-commerce platforms and social media. Ensuring the authenticity and effectiveness of these reviews is essential for safeguarding consumer rights and preserving platform integrity. Nevertheless, Chinese online reviews pose unique challenges due to their linguistic complexity and the scarcity of annotated data, rendering the efficient identification of fake reviews a persistent challenge.To address these challenges, this study introduces a novel pre-training model called SGAN-SAM-ERNIE, which integrates a self-attention mechanism within a semi-supervised framework. Initially, the ERNIE3.0 pre-training model is utilized to extract high-quality language representations from online review data. Subsequently, the generator within the semi-supervised generative adversarial network (SGAN) generates synthetic data that mimics the distribution of authentic reviews. Meanwhile, the self-attention mechanism is integrated to capture key information and semantic dependencies within the input sequences, thereby enhancing the model’s comprehension of the reviews. Finally, a discriminator is employed to distinguish between authentic and fake reviews. Experimental validation was conducted using both cross-lingual and Chinese-specific datasets. The results demonstrate a notable improvement in fake review identification performance, even in scenarios with limited labeled data availability. This underscores the efficacy of the proposed SGAN-SAM-ERNIE model in addressing the challenges associated with identifying fake reviews in Chinese, thereby contributing to a more trustworthy and reliable online review ecosystem.

Abstract Raising photoelectric conversion efficiency and enhancing heat management are two critical concerns for silicon-based solar cells. In this work, efficient Yb3+ infrared emissions from both quantum cutting and upconversion were demonstrated by adjusting Er3+ and Yb3+ concentrations, and thermo-manage-applicable temperature sensing based on the luminescence intensity ratio of two super-low thermal quenching levels was discovered in an Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped tungstate system. The quantum cutting mechanism was clearly decrypted as a two-step energy transfer process from Er3+ to Yb3+. The two-step energy transfer efficiencies, the radiative and nonradiative transition rates of all interested 4 f levels of Er3+ in NaY(WO4)2 were confirmed in the framework of Föster-Dexter theory, Judd-Ofelt theory, and energy gap law, and based on these obtained efficiencies and rates the quantum cutting efficiency was furthermore determined to be as high as 173% in NaY(WO4)2: 5 mol% Er3+/50 mol% Yb3+ sample. Strong and nearly pure infrared upconversion emission of Yb3+ under 1550 nm excitation was achieved in Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped NaY(WO4)2 by adjusting Yb3+ doping concentrations. The Yb3+ induced infrared upconversion emission enhancement was attributed to the efficient energy transfer 4I11/2 (Er3+) + 2F7/2 (Yb3+) → 4I15/2 (Er3+) + 2F5/2 (Yb3+) and large nonradiative relaxation rate of 4I9/2. Analysis on the temperature sensing indicated that the NaY(WO4)2:Er3+/Yb3+ serves well the solar cells as thermos-managing material. Moreover, it was confirmed that the fluorescence thermal quenching of 2H11/2/4S3/2 was caused by the nonradiative relaxation of 4S3/2. All the obtained results suggest that NaY(WO4)2:Er3+/Yb3+ is an excellent material for silicon-based solar cells to improve photoelectric conversion efficiency and thermal management.

Abstract Membrane technology using well-defined pore structure can achieve high ion purity and recovery. However, fine-tuning the inner pore structure of the separation nanofilm to be uniform and enhance the effective pore area is still challenging. Here, we report dendrimers with different peripheral groups that preferentially self-assemble in aqueous-phase amine solution to facilitate the formation of polyamide nanofilms with a well-defined effective pore range and uniform pore structure. The high permeabilities are maintained by forming asymmetric hollow nanostripe nanofilms, and their well-designed ion effective separation pore ranges show an enhancement, rationalized by molecular simulation. The self-assembled dendrimer polyamide membrane provides Cl–/SO4 2– selectivity more than 17 times that of its pristine polyamide counterparts, increasing from 167.9 to 2883.0. Furthermore, the designed membranes achieve higher Li purity and Li recovery compared to current state-of-the-art membranes. Such an approach provides a scalable strategy to fine-tune subnanometre structures in ion separation nanofilms.