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As a predominant ecosystem-providing area and distinctive landscape in arid regions, an oasis plays an important role in maintaining land stability, human production, and daily activities. Studying the dynamics of oasis and its driving factors is vital to supporting arid regions' sustainable development. As a typical mountain–desert–oasis landscape, the Turpan–Hami (Tuha) Basin, located in Xinjiang, China, includes complex interactions among different land types. For this study, we revealed the spatio-temporal patterns and transition processes of the oasis using a complex network method between 1990 and 2020 in the Tuha Basin. In the oasis transition network, the degree value, betweenness centrality, and average path length were calculated to express the transition relationship, key oasis type, and oasis structural stability, respectively. Six factors related to climate change and human actives were selected to investigate the driving forces behind oasis transitions, including the average temperature and precipitation in the growing season, the total power of agricultural machinery (TAMP), the production of raw coal (PRC), the total output value of the plantation industry (TPI), and the population (Pop). Our results show that the oasis area of the Tuha Basin, including the natural oasis and artificial oasis, all grew from 1990 to 2020, with the natural oasis expanding more than the artificial oasis. The transitions between oasis types became more frequent as the area of oasis land types increased throughout the study period. Grassland acted as the most important oasis type in the network, with the highest betweenness centrality, but its importance declined due to the increasing complexity of the oasis transition network from 1990 to 2020. The transitions between oasis types became simpler, and the oasis structural stability decreased. Through driving force analysis, the oasis changes showed a positive correlation with the temperature (p-value < 0.05, r = 0.88), and urbanization and industrialization factors prompted transitions to built-up areas and cropland from grassland and shrubland. In summary, our results suggest that to create a harmonious symbiotic relationship between the natural environment in dryland and human activities, preventing grassland degradation and excessive reclamation of land cover is an available way. Meanwhile, the protection of shrubland and water resources is also important. This study provided reference and theory support for promoting the sustainable development of oases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammation accounts for the process of type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the specific mechanism of which is still to be elucidated yet. Nitric oxide (NO), a critical inflammation regulator, the role of which is the inflammation of T2DM, is rarely reported. Therefore, our study is aimed at exploring the effect of NO on the inflammation in T2DM and the corresponding mechanism. We analyzed the NO levels in plasma samples from T2DM patients and paired healthy adults by Nitric Oxide Analyzer then measured the expression of inflammatory cytokines (C-reactive protein, heptoglobin, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6) in insulin-induced HepG2 cells treated with NO donor or NO scavenger, and the PPARγ, eNOS, C-reactive protein, heptoglobin, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels were detected by RT-PCR and western blot in insulin-induced HepG2 cells transfected with si-PPARγ. The results showed that excess NO increased the inflammation marker levels in T2DM, which is activated by the PPARγ/eNOS pathway. These findings will strengthen the understanding of NO in T2DM and provide a new target for the treatment of T2DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • H 2 productions from substrates with different reduction degrees were compared. • Mannitol fermentation gave more electrons than glucose, which were sunk in ethanol. • High ethanol selectivity (97%) and energy conversion efficiency (98%) were gained. • Electron flow and feedback inhibition were affected by substrate reduction degree. • Mannitol-rich biomass can be used for efficient ethanol-H 2 co-production. The reduction degree determines the electron availability of substrate for hydrogen evolution in dark fermentation. However, the influence of substrate reduction degree on product distribution and feedback inhibition in fermentative hydrogen production remains underexplored. This research employed glucose and mannitol as substrates, which possess varying reduction degrees (4 and 4.33, respectively), to investigate differences in hydrogen evolution and feedback inhibition in ethanol-type fermentation. Mannitol fermentation yielded 39.93% more ethanol and 76.27% less acetate compared to glucose, yet the hydrogen molecular yield remained unchanged, indicating that the increased reducing power in mannitol fermentation was sunk in the ethanol synthesis pathway rather than hydrogen evolution. The high ethanol selectivity in the effluent (90.7%) ensures a highly selective gas–liquid fuel co-production process, reaching a high bioenergy recovery efficiency of 98.26%. The addition of an electron mediator, methyl viologen (MV), did not redistribute the electrons of mannitol metabolism in ethanol-type fermentation. The substrate reduction degree displayed product-specific impacts on feedback inhibition during fermentation. Ethanol posed a greater inhibitory effect in glucose fermentation compared to that in mannitol fermentation, particularly regarding hydrogen yield. Conversely, acetate exhibited more inhibition to mannitol fermentation. Soluble end metabolites and carbon distribution in glucose and mannitol fermentations were analyzed and the underlying mechanisms contributing to the differences in electron flow and product inhibition were proposed. This is the first demonstration of the impact of substrate reduction degree on feedback inhibition of fermentative hydrogen production, which reveals the relationship between electron regulation and product distribution and inhibition in anaerobic fermentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Quality of parent–child interaction in early childhood functions as a critical indicator of nurturing care and is strongly associated with short‐term and long‐term development (health, cognition, language, social emotion, well‐being, etc.). NCAST PCI Teaching Scale (PCI‐TS), a video‐based assessment regarded as a gold standard to measure PCI, has been widely used worldwide. However, its psychometric soundness among the urban Chinese population is unclear. This study assesses the PCI‐TS's reliability and validity and explores predictive factors among urban Chinese parent–child dyads. Methods: PCI‐TS was adopted to code mother–child interaction among urban Chinese dyads recruited during the children's regular health checks in local maternal and child health centres. Reliability was evaluated by internal consistency (Cronbach'α coefficient) and test–retest reliability (Pearson correlation) with an average interval of 18 days. Score distribution of each subscale and total scale were compared with NCAST Database and Canadian community sample by single sample t‐test. Criteria‐related validity was conducted by Infant‐Toddler Home Observation Measurement of the Environment (Pearson correlation). Predictive factors was performed by multiple linear regression. Results: Four hundred and twenty‐nine eligible mother–child dyads were included for data analysis among the 466 recruited samples. Four qualified local paediatricians accomplished video coding with an average agreement of 86%. The PCI‐TS has strong reliability among the Chinese population with the Cronbach'α coefficients of the Caregiver‐Infant total score, Caregiver total and Infant total scores of 0.81, 0.81 and 0.74, respectively; an acceptable test–retest reliability (r = 0.73, p < 0.01); and moderate correlation with IT‐HOME, ranging from 0.53 to 0.62. Child age, birth weight, maternal education, full‐time housewife, living with grandparent(s) and living space were predictive factors on PCI‐TS in the Chinese population. Conclusion: PCI‐TS showed good psychometric properties for measuring mother–child interactions among urban Chinese dyads, offering clinicians and researchers a practical tool to evaluate PCI objectively. Child age, maternal education and living space were beneficial factors, while full‐time mothers and living with grandparent(s) were risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have been intensively studied in recent studies with aims of finding more concrete evidence on their mechanism of involvement in tumor progression, which is currently unknown. CAFs can secrete exosomes which are loaded with proteins, lipids and RNAs, all of which affect tumor microenvironment. The present study identified microRNA-93-5p (miR-93-5p) as a novel exosomal cargo responsible for the pro-tumorigenic effects of CAFs on colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: CAFs and normal fibroblasts (NFs) were isolated from cancerous tissues and matched with paracancerous tissues that had been surgically resected from CRC patients. The interaction among miR-93-5p, forkhead box A1 (FOXA1) and TGFB3 was identified through ChIP and dual luciferase reporter assays. The proliferation and apoptosis of SW480 cells co-cultured with CAFs-derived exosomes under irradiation were evaluated by CCK-8, colony formation, and flow cytometric assays. Tumorigenesis of SW480 cells in nude mice was assessed under the irradiation. Results: FOXA1 was found to be associated with reduced radioresistance in CRC cells and was verified as a target of miR-93-5p. CAFs-derived exosomes contained higher miR-93-5p than those from NFs, which augmented SW480 cell proliferation and rescued them from radiation-induced apoptosis. miR-93-5p was identified as a mediator of the exosomal effects of CAFs on SW480 cells, possibly through downregulating FOXA1 and upregulating TGFB3. FOXA1 could bind to the promoter of TGFB3, thereby inhibiting nuclear accumulation of TGFB3. Also, CAFs-derived exosomes containing miR-93-5p increased the tumor growth of SW480 cells in irradiated nude mice. Conclusion: The present study identifies miR-93-5p as a specific exosomal cargo that rescues CRC cells against radiation-induced apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• All port cities experienced dramatic growth in artificial surfaces in 2000–2020. • We identified the coordination of urbanization-vegetation cover in port cities. • Overall coordination of urbanization-vegetation cover improved in port cities. • Coordination changes varied across cities at different economic levels. • Identifying coordination relationships to promote sustainable development in port cities. The sustainability of port cities affects the competitiveness of their hinterland in international shipping and maritime trade, however, the coordinated relationship between urbanization and ecological environment in port cities has received less attention. In this study, we quantitatively analyzed the urban expansion process and vegetation cover changes in 44 port cities along the Maritime Silk Road during 2000–2020 based on multi-source remote sensing data. Adopting the urbanization-vegetation cover index (UVCI), we measured the coordination relationship between urban expansion and vegetation cover and the dynamics during 2000–2020. The results found that all port cities experienced dramatic development from 2000 to 2020, with an average increase in artificial surface area of 127.81%. The 63.64% of port cities experienced increased vegetation cover, thus the overall UVCI in the port city moved toward a more coordinated and sustainable pattern with significant heterogeneity at the economic levels. High-economy port cities have generally become more coordinated, while most low- and medium-economy cities still face challenges of conflicting urban expansion and ecological preservation. This study contributes to the development of government policies that support green and sustainable urban development in port cities, and provides insights for rationalizing development policies in port cities worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: After the implementation of the universal salt iodization (USI) program in 1996, seven cross-sectional school-based surveys have been conducted to monitor iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) among children in eastern China. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the correlation of total goiter rate (TGR) with average thyroid volume (Tvol) and urinary iodine concentration (UIC) in Jiangsu province after IDD elimination. Design: Probability-proportional-to-size sampling was applied to select 1,200 children aged 8–10 years old in 30 clusters for each survey in 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2009 and 2011. We measured Tvol using ultrasonography in 8,314 children and measured UIC (4,767 subjects) and salt iodine (10,184 samples) using methods recommended by the World Health Organization. Tvol was used to calculate TGR based on the reference criteria specified for sex and body surface area (BSA). Results: TGR decreased from 55.2% in 1997 to 1.0% in 2009, and geometric means of Tvol decreased from 3.63 mL to 1.33 mL, along with the UIC increasing from 83 μg/L in 1995 to 407 μg/L in 1999, then decreasing to 243 μg/L in 2005, and then increasing to 345 μg/L in 2011. In the low goiter population (TGR < 3.9%), TGR was positively associated with average Tvol (r = 0.99); UIC showed a non-linear association with average Tvol, and UIC > 300 μg/L was associated with a smaller average Tvol in children. Conclusions: After IDD elimination in Jiangsu province in 2001, lower TGR was associated with smaller average Tvol. Average Tvol was more sensitive than TGR in detecting the fluctuation of UIC. A UIC of 300 μg/L may be defined as a critical value for population level iodine status monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]