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Abstract Aberrant DNA methylation patterns have been used for cancer detection. However, DNA hemi-methylation, present at about 10% CpG dinucleotides, has been less well studied. Here we show that a majority of differentially hemi-methylated regions (DHMRs) in liver tumor DNA or plasma cells free (cf) DNA do not overlap with differentially methylated regions (DMRs) of the same samples, indicating that DHMRs could serve as independent biomarkers. Furthermore, we analyzed the cfDNA methylomes of 215 samples from individuals with liver or brain cancer and individuals without cancer (controls), and trained machine learning models using DMRs, DHMRs or both. The models incorporated with both DMRs and DHMRs show a superior performance compared to models trained with DMRs or DHMRs, with AUROC being 0.978, 0.990, and 0.983 in distinguishing control, liver and brain cancer, respectively, in a validation cohort. This study supports the potential of utilizing both DMRs and DHMRs for multi-cancer detection.

Abstract Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease marked by synovitis and cartilage destruction. The active compound, icariin (ICA), derived from the herb Epimedium, exhibits potent anti-inflammatory properties. However, its clinical utility is limited by its water insolubility, poor permeability, and low bioavailability. To address these challenges, we developed a multifunctional drug delivery system—adipose-derived stem cells-exosomes (ADSCs-EXO)-ICA to target active macrophages in synovial tissue and modulate macrophage polarization from M1 to M2. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis confirmed a 92.4 ± 0.008% loading efficiency for ADSCs-EXO-ICA. In vitro studies utilizing cellular immunofluorescence (IF) and flow cytometry demonstrated significant inhibition of M1 macrophage proliferation by ADSCs-EXO-ICA. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, cellular transcriptomics, and real-time quantitative PCR indicated that ADSCs-EXO-ICA promotes an M1-to-M2 phenotypic transition by reducing glycolysis through the inhibition of the ERK/HIF-1α/GLUT1 pathway. In vivo, ADSCs-EXO-ICA effectively accumulated in the joints. Pharmacodynamic assessments revealed that ADSCs-EXO-ICA decreased cytokine levels and mitigated arthritis symptoms in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats. Histological analysis and micro computed tomography confirmed that ADSCs-EXO-ICA markedly ameliorated synovitis and preserved cartilage. Further in vivo studies indicated that ADSCs-EXO-ICA suppresses arthritis by promoting an M1-to-M2 switch and suppressing glycolysis. Western blotting supported the therapeutic efficacy of ADSCs-EXO-ICA in RA, confirming its role in modulating macrophage function through energy metabolism regulation. Thus, this study not only introduces a drug delivery system that significantly enhances the anti-RA efficacy of ADSCs-EXO-ICA but also elucidates its mechanism of action in macrophage function inhibition. Graphical abstract

Background: Zinc finger-containing transcription factor Osterix/Specificity protein-7 (Sp7) is an essential transcription factor for osteoblast differentiation. However, its functions in differentiated osteoblasts remain unclear and the effects of osteoblast-specific Sp7 deletion on osteocytes have not been sufficiently studied. Methods: Sp7floxneo/floxneo mice, in which Sp7 expression was 30 % of that in wild-type mice because of disturbed splicing by neo gene insertion, and osteoblast-specific knockout (Sp7fl/fl;Col1a1−Cre) mice using 2.3-kb Col1a1 enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-Cre were examined by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), bone histomorphometry, serum markers, and histological analyses. The expression of osteoblast and osteocyte marker genes was examined by real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR analysis. Osteoblastogenesis, osteoclastogenesis, and regulation of the expression of collagen type I alpha 1 chain (Col1a1) were examined in primary osteoblasts. Results: Femoral trabecular bone volume was higher in female Sp7floxneo/floxneo and Sp7fl/fl;Col1a1−Cre mice than in the respective controls, but not in males. Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-positive osteoblastic cells were increased in male Sp7fl/fl;Col1a1−Cre mice, and osteoblast number and the bone formation rate were increased in tibial trabecular bone in female Sp7fl/fl;Col1a1−Cre mice, although osteoblast maturation was inhibited in female Sp7fl/fl;Col1a1−Cre mice as shown by the increased expression of an immature osteoblast marker gene, secreted phosphoprotein 1 (Spp1), and reduced expression of a mature osteoblast marker gene, bone gamma-carboxyglutamate protein/bone gamma-carboxyglutamate protein 2 (Bglap/Bglap2). Furthermore, alkaline phosphatase activity was increased but mineralization was reduced in the culture of primary osteoblasts from Sp7fl/fl;Col1a1−Cre mice. Therefore, the accumulated immature osteoblasts in Sp7fl/fl;Col1a1−Cre mice was likely compensated for the inhibition of osteoblast maturation at different levels in males and females. Vertebral trabecular bone volume was lower in both male and female Sp7fl/fl;Col1a1−Cre mice than in the controls and the osteoblast parameters and bone formation rate in females were lower in Sp7fl/fl;Col1a1−Cre mice than in Sp7fl/fl mice, suggesting differential regulatory mechanisms in long bones and vertebrae. The femoral cortical bone was thin and porous in Sp7floxneo/floxneo and Sp7fl/fl;Col1a1−Cre mice of both sexes, the number of canaliculi was reduced, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL)-positive lacunae and the osteoclasts were increased, whereas the bone formation rate was similar in Sp7fl/fl;Col1a1−Cre and Sp7fl/fl mice. The serum levels of total procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), a marker for bone formation, were similar, while those of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRAP5b), a marker for bone resorption, were higher in Sp7fl/fl;Col1a1−Cre mice. Osteoblasts were less cuboidal, the expression of Col1a1 and Col1a1-EGFP-Cre was lower in Sp7fl/fl;Col1a1−Cre mice, and overexpression of Sp7 induced Col1a1 expression. Conclusions: Our studies indicated that Sp7 inhibits the proliferation of immature osteoblasts, induces osteoblast maturation and Col1a1 expression, and is required for osteocytes to acquire a sufficient number of processes for their survival, which prevents cortical porosity. The translational potential of this article: This study clarified the roles of Sp7 in differentiated osteoblasts in proliferarion, maturation, Col1a1 expression, and osteocyte process formation, which are required for targeting SP7 in the development of therapies for osteoporosis.

Plant anatomy is patterned early during leaf development which suggests studying the spatial–temporal transcriptomes of primordia will help identify critical regulative and functional genes. We successfully isolated the leaf primordia tissues from the C3 grass rice and the C4 grass foxtail millet by laser capture microdissection (LCM) and studied the gene expression throughout leaf developmental stages. Our data analysis uncovered the conserved expression patterns of certain gene clusters both in rice and foxtail millet during leaf development. We revealed genes and transcription factors involved in vein formation, stomatal development, and suberin accumulation. We identified 79 candidate genes associated with functional regulation of C4 anatomy formation. Screening phenotype of the candidate genes revealed that knock-out of a putative polar auxin transport related gene NAL1 resulted significantly reduced veinal space in rice leaf. Our present work provides a foundation for future analyses of genes with novel functions in grasses and their role in leaf development, in particular the role in leaves with a contrasting C3 vs. C4 biosynthetic pathway.

Abstract Background Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) can initiate and affect almost all atherosclerotic events including endothelial dysfunction. In this text, the role and underlying molecular basis of procyanidin B2 (PCB2) with potential anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in ox-LDL-induced HUVEC injury were examined. Methods HUVECs were treated with ox-LDL in the presence or absence of PCB2. Cell viability and apoptotic rate were examined by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The mRNA and protein levels of genes were tested by RT-qPCR and western blot assays, respectively. Potential downstream targets and pathways of apple procyanidin oligomers were examined by bioinformatics analysis for the GSE9647 dataset. The effect of PCB2 on THP-1 cell migration was examined by recruitment assay. The effect of PCB2 on oxidative stress was assessed by reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Results ox-LDL reduced cell viability, induced cell apoptosis, and facilitated the expression of oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1 (LOX-1), C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (MCP-1), vascular cell adhesion protein 1 (VCAM-1) in HUVECs. PCB2 alleviated ox-LDL-induced cell injury in HUVECs. Apple procyanidin oligomers triggered the differential expression of 592 genes in HUVECs (|log2fold-change| > 0.58 and adjusted p-value

The development and maturation of the CRISPR/Cas genome editing system provides a valuable tool for plant functional genomics and genetic improvement. Currently available genome-editing tools have a limited number of targets, restricting their application in genetic research. In this study, we developed a novel CRISPR/Cas9 plant ultra-multiplex genome editing system consisting of two template vectors, eight donor vectors, four destination vectors, and one primer-design software package. By combining the advantages of Golden Gate cloning to assemble multiple repetitive fragments and Gateway recombination to assemble large fragments and by changing the structure of the amplicons used to assemble sgRNA expression cassettes, the plant ultra-multiplex genome editing system can assemble a single binary vector targeting more than 40 genomic loci. A rice knockout vector containing 49 sgRNA expression cassettes was assembled and a high co-editing efficiency was observed. This plant ultra-multiplex genome editing system advances synthetic biology and plant genetic engineering.

Abstract Background Diffuse midline glioma (DMG) is a pediatric tumor with dismal prognosis. Systemic strategies have been unsuccessful and radiotherapy (RT) remains the standard-of-care. A central impediment to treatment is the blood–brain barrier (BBB), which precludes drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS). Focused ultrasound (FUS) with microbubbles can transiently and non-invasively disrupt the BBB to enhance drug delivery. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of brainstem FUS in combination with clinical doses of RT. We hypothesized that FUS-mediated BBB-opening (BBBO) is safe and feasible with 39 Gy RT. Methods To establish a safety timeline, we administered FUS to the brainstem of non-tumor bearing mice concurrent with or adjuvant to RT; our findings were validated in a syngeneic brainstem murine model of DMG receiving repeated sonication concurrent with RT. The brainstems of male B6 (Cg)-Tyrc-2J/J albino mice were intracranially injected with mouse DMG cells (PDGFB+, H3.3K27M, p53−/−). A clinical RT dose of 39 Gy in 13 fractions (39 Gy/13fx) was delivered using the Small Animal Radiation Research Platform (SARRP) or XRAD-320 irradiator. FUS was administered via a 0.5 MHz transducer, with BBBO and tumor volume monitored by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results FUS-mediated BBBO did not affect cardiorespiratory rate, motor function, or tissue integrity in non-tumor bearing mice receiving RT. Tumor-bearing mice tolerated repeated brainstem BBBO concurrent with RT. 39 Gy/13fx offered local control, though disease progression occurred 3–4 weeks post-RT. Conclusion Repeated FUS-mediated BBBO is safe and feasible concurrent with RT. In our syngeneic DMG murine model, progression occurs, serving as an ideal model for future combination testing with RT and FUS-mediated drug delivery.

Abstract YEATS domain-containing protein GAS41 is a histone reader and oncogene. Here, through genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screenings, we identify GAS41 as a repressor of ferroptosis. GAS41 interacts with NRF2 and is critical for NRF2 to activate its targets such as SLC7A11 for modulating ferroptosis. By recognizing the H3K27-acetylation (H3K27-ac) marker, GAS41 is recruited to the SLC7A11 promoter, independent of NRF2 binding. By bridging the interaction between NRF2 and the H3K27-ac marker, GAS41 acts as an anchor for NRF2 on chromatin in a promoter-specific manner for transcriptional activation. Moreover, the GAS41-mediated effect on ferroptosis contributes to its oncogenic role in vivo. These data demonstrate that GAS41 is a target for modulating tumor growth through ferroptosis. Our study reveals a mechanism for GAS41-mediated regulation in transcription by anchoring NRF2 on chromatin, and provides a model in which the DNA binding activity on chromatin by transcriptional factors (NRF2) can be directly regulated by histone markers (H3K27-ac).

Depression is a prevalent mental health problem across the globe, presenting significant social and economic challenges. Early detection and treatment are pivotal in reducing these impacts and improving patient outcomes. Traditional diagnostic methods largely rely on subjective assessments by psychiatrists, underscoring the importance of developing automated and objective diagnostic tools. This paper presents IntervoxNet, a novel computeraided detection system designed specifically for analyzing interview audio. IntervoxNet incorporates a dual-modal approach, utilizing both the Audio Mel-Spectrogram Transformer (AMST) for audio processing and a hybrid model combining Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers with a Convolutional Neural Network (BERT-CNN) for text analysis. Evaluated on the DAIC-WOZ database, IntervoxNet demonstrates excellent performance, achieving F1 score, recall, precision, and accuracy of 0.90, 0.92, 0.88, and 0.86 respectively, thereby surpassing existing state of the art methods. These results demonstrate IntervoxNet’s potential as a highly effective and efficient tool for rapid depression screening in interview settings.

Cytoplasmic 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (G6PGH) is a key enzyme in the pentose phosphate pathway that is involved in regulating various biological processes such as material metabolism, and growth and development in plants. However, it was unclear if OsG6PGH1 affected rice grain quality traits. We perform yeast one-hybrid experiments and reveal that OsG6PGH1 may interact with OsAAP6. Subsequently, yeast in vivo point-to-point experiments and local surface plasmon resonance experiments verified that OsG6PGH1 can bind to OsAAP6. OsG6PGH1 in rice is a constitutive expressed gene that may be localized in the cytoplasm. OsAAP6 and protein-synthesis metabolism-related genes are significantly upregulated in OsG6PGH1 overexpressing transgenic positive endosperm, corresponding to a significant increase in the number of protein bodies II, promoting accumulation of related storage proteins, a significant increase in grain protein content (GPC), and improved rice nutritional quality. OsG6PGH1 positively regulates amylose content, negatively regulates chalkiness rate and taste value, significantly affects grain quality traits such as appearance, cooking, and eating qualities of rice, and is involved in regulating the expression of salt stress related genes, thereby enhancing the salt-stress tolerance of rice. Therefore, OsG6PGH1 represents an important genetic resource to assist in the design of high-quality and multi-resistant rice varieties.

BackgroundAmphiregulin (AR) is a growth factor that resembles the epidermal growth factor (EGF) and serves various functions in different cells. However, no systematic studies or reports on the role of AR in human oocytes have currently been performed or reported. This study aimed to explore the role of AR in human immature oocytes during in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) in achieving better embryonic development and to provide a basis for the development of a pre-insemination culture medium specific for cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs).MethodsFirst, we examined the concentration of AR in the follicular fluid (FF) of patients who underwent routine IVF and explored the correlation between AR levels and oocyte maturation and subsequent embryonic development. Second, AR was added to the IVM medium to culture immature oocytes and investigate whether AR could improve the effects of IVM. Finally, we pioneered the use of a fertilization medium supplemented with AR for the pre-insemination culture of COCs to explore whether the involvement of AR can promote the maturation and fertilization of IVF oocytes, as well as subsequent embryonic development.ResultsA total of 609 FF samples were examined, and a positive correlation between AR levels and blastocyst formation was observed. In our IVM study, the development potential and IVM rate of immature oocytes, as well as the fertilization rate of IVM oocytes in the AR-added groups, were ameliorated significantly compared to the control group (All P < 0.05). Only the IVM-50 group had a significantly higher blastocyst formation rate than the control group (P < 0.05). In the final IVF study, the maturation, fertilization, high-quality embryo, blastocyst formation, and high-quality blastocyst rates of the AR-added group were significantly higher than those of the control group (All P < 0.05).ConclusionAR levels in the FF positively correlated with blastocyst formation, and AR involvement in pre-insemination cultures of COCs can effectively improve laboratory outcomes in IVF. Furthermore, AR can directly promote the in vitro maturation and developmental potential of human immature oocytes at an optimal concentration of 50 ng/ml.

Developing new bio-metallic materials with improved performance has attracted intensive research focus over the last decades. In the present work, a new series of (TiZr)95-xHfxMo5 (x = 0, 10, 15, 20, 25, 31.67) multi-principal elements alloys (MPEAs) have been designed for potential implant materials. The mechanical properties, deformation characteristics, tribological properties, corrosion resistance, and in vitro biocompatibility of the MPEAs were characterized. All the TiZrHfMo alloys possess a high yield strength (913–––1083 MPa) and tensile strength (931–––1118 MPa) and a large microhardness (296–––333 Hv). The addition of Hf into the alloys induced severe lattice distortion, which increased the solid-solution strengthening effect. It also resulted in a finer grain size and led to excellent wear resistance. Meanwhile, the results showed that the dislocation glide mode transformed from planar slip to cross-slip and the transformation became apparent with the decrease of Hf. Also, the MPEAs showed a good corrosion resistance compared to CP-Ti, which was credited to the superior passivation films. The in vitro biocompatibility experiments displayed that the TiZrHfMo alloys exhibited high cell viability ratios, which were close to that of CP-Ti. The present work demonstrates the huge potential of TiZrHfMo MPEAs as implant material for biomedical applications.

Abstract Background Screening for Tuberculosis (TB) is a critical tactic for minimizing the prevalence of illness within schools. Tuberculosis Preventive Therapy (TPT), in turn, effectively staves off the development of TB from latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Unfortunately, there is limited research on LTBI and TPT among students. This study aimed to assess LTBI among freshmen in Changping District and advocate for the implementation of TPT. Methods The prospective study collected data from 12 educational institutions within the Changping District of Beijing. The Kolmogorov − Smirnov test and other statistical methods were used for statistical analysis, $${x}^{2}$$ x 2 was obtained using the formula $${x}^{2}=$$ x 2 = nΣA2/nRnC-1, df = (C-1) (R-1). We analyzed potential factors impacting the LTBI rate, and scrutinized the possible causes behind the low application of TPT and its efficacy for LTBI treatment, China. Results Among 19,872 freshmen included in this study, 18 active TB cases (91 per 10,0000) and 2236 LTBI cases (11.6% of 19,223) were identified, respectively. Furthermore, of those with LTBI, 1045 (5.4% of 19,223) showed a strong positive for purified protein derivative (PPD), but only 312 opted for TB preventive treatment. There appeared to be no significant difference in the prevalence of LTBI and TPT rate between male and female students. Concurrently, 11 (71 per 100,000) and 7 (158 per 100,000) cases of active tuberculosis were identified in 6 universities and 6 higher vocational colleges, respectively. Interestingly, almost all freshmen who underwent TPT came from universities, suggesting a statistically significant disparity in TPT rate (χ2 = 139.829, P

Abstract Background Disruption of the BBB is a harmful event after intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), and this disruption contributes to a series of secondary injuries. We hypothesized that FGF21 may have protective effects after intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and investigated possible underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods Blood samples of ICH patients were collected to determine the relationship between the serum level of FGF21 and the $$\Delta$$ Δ GCS%. Wild-type mice, SIRT6flox/flox mice, endothelial-specific SIRT6-homozygous-knockout mice (eSIRT6−/− mice) and cultured human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HCMECs) were used to determine the protective effects of FGF21 on the BBB. Results We obtained original clinical evidence from patient data identifying a positive correlation between the serum level of FGF21 and $$\Delta$$ Δ GCS%. In mice, we found that FGF21 treatment is capable of alleviating BBB damage, mitigating brain edema, reducing lesion volume and improving neurofunction after ICH. In vitro, after oxyhemoglobin injury, we further explored the protective effects of FGF21 on endothelial cells (ECs), which are a significant component of the BBB. Mitochondria play crucial roles during various types of stress reactions. FGF21 significantly improved mitochondrial biology and function in ECs, as evidenced by alleviated mitochondrial morphology damage, reduced ROS accumulation, and restored ATP production. Moreover, we found that the crucial regulatory mitochondrial factor deacylase sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) played an irreplaceable role in the effects of FGF21. Using endothelial-specific SIRT6-knockout mice, we found that SIRT6 deficiency largely diminished these neuroprotective effects of FGF21. Then, we revealed that FGF21 might promote the expression of SIRT6 via the AMPK–Foxo3a pathway. Conclusions We provide the first evidence that FGF21 is capable of protecting the BBB after ICH by improving SIRT6-mediated mitochondrial homeostasis.

Abstract Background Immature cumulus-oocyte complexes are retrieved to obtain mature oocytes by in vitro maturation (IVM), a laboratory tool in reproductive medicine to obtain mature oocytes. Unfortunately, the efficiency of IVM is not satisfactory. To circumvent this problem, we therefore intended to commence with the composition of ovarian follicular fluid (FF), an important microenvironment influencing oocyte growth. It is well known that FF has a critical role in oocyte development and maturation. However, the components in human FF remain largely unknown, particularly with regard to small molecular peptides. Results In current study, the follicular fluid derived from human mature and immature follicles were harvested. The peptide profiles of FF were further investigated by using combined ultrafiltration and LC–MS/MS. The differential peptides were preliminary determined by performing differentially expressed analysis. Human and mouse oocyte culture were used to verify the influence of differential peptides on oocyte development. Constructing plasmids, cell transfecting, Co-IP, PLA etc. were used to reveal the detail molecular mechanism. The results from differentially expressed peptide as well as cultured human and mouse oocytes analyses showed that highly conserved C3a-peptide, a cleavage product of complement C3a, definitely affected oocytes development. Intriguingly, C3a-peptide possessed a novel function that promoted F-actin aggregation and spindle migration, raised the percentage of oocytes at the MII stage, without increasing the chromosome aneuploidy ratio, especially in poor-quality oocytes. These effects of C3a-peptide were attenuated by C3aR morpholino inhibition, suggesting that C3a-peptide affected oocytes development by collaborating with its classical receptor, C3aR. Specially, we found that C3aR co-localized to the spindle with β-tubulin to recruit F-actin toward the spindle and subcortical region of the oocytes through specific binding to MYO10, a key regulator for actin organization, spindle morphogenesis and positioning in oocytes. Conclusions Our results provide a new perspective for improving IVM culture systems by applying FF components and also provide molecular insights into the physiological function of C3a-peptide, its interaction with C3aR, and their roles in enabling meiotic division of oocytes.

The restructuring of the energy industry is imperative, as New Zealand strives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. New Zealand has abundant renewable energy resources, and about 85% of current electricity generation is from renewable energy sources. However, in recent years, it appears that a considerable fraction of wind energy has been underutilized. This article reviews the history, current status, and future trends of wind energy development in New Zealand. The main challenges to the current development of wind energy are summarized compared to other countries. The main challenges come from the bi-cultural influence, environmental influence, and economic and social influence due to the variable nature of wind power, it is critical to store and operate power safely and reliably during peak power generation periods. This article compares seven mainstream wind energy storage technologies and analyzes the best solution for wind energy storage in New Zealand. This article analyzes the feasibility of using small-scale household (standard power rating range from 0.004 to 16 kW) wind turbines in New Zealand cities regarding their construction and operation process. The life cycle and the maximum capacity coefficient of such small-scale wind turbines are overviewed via three case studies and later compared with large commercial wind turbines (standard power rating ranges from 1 to 3 MW) in power generation capacity. It has been found that small-scale household wind turbines have notable power generation potential and economic benefits in the long term.

Abstract The YOLOv4 approach has gained significant popularity in industrial object detection due to its impressive real-time processing speed and relatively favorable accuracy. However, it has been observed that YOLOv4 faces challenges in accurately detecting small objects. Its bounding box regression strategy is rigid and fails to effectively leverage the asymmetric characteristics of objects, limiting its ability to enhance object detection accuracy. This paper proposes an enhanced version of YOLOv4 called KR–AL–YOLO (keypoint regression strategy and angle loss based YOLOv4). The KR–AL–YOLO approach introduces two customized modules: an keypoint regression strategy and an angle-loss function. These modules contribute to improving the algorithm’s detection accuracy by enabling more precise localization of objects. Additionally, KR–AL–YOLO adopts an improved feature fusion technique, which facilitates enhanced information flow within the network, thereby further enhancing accuracy performance. Experimental evaluations conducted on the COCO2017 dataset demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. KR–AL–YOLO achieves an average precision of 45.6%, surpassing both YOLOv4 and certain previously developed one-stage detectors. The utilization of keypoint regression strategy and the incorporation of robust feature fusion contribute to superior object detection accuracy in KR–AL–YOLO compared to YOLOv4.

ABSTRACTBacterial secondary metabolites serve as an important source of molecules for drug discovery. They also play an important function in mediating the interactions of microbial producers with their living environment and surrounding organisms. However, little is known about the genetic novelty, distribution, and community-level impacts of soil bacterial biosynthetic potential on a large geographic scale. Here, we constructed the first catalog of 11,149 biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) from agricultural soils across China and unearthed hidden biosynthetic potential for new natural product discovery from the not-yet-cultivated soil bacteria. Notably, we revealed soil pH as the strongest environmental driver of BGC biogeography and predicted that soil acidification and global climate change could damage the biosynthetic potential of the soil microbiome. The co-occurrence network of bacterial genomes revealed two BGC-rich species, i.e., Nocardia niigatensis from Actinobacteriota and PSRF01 from Acidobacteriota, as the module hub and connector, respectively, indicating their keystone positions in the soil microbial communities. We also uncovered a dominant role of BGC-inferred biotic interactions over environmental drivers in structuring the soil microbiome. Overall, this study achieved novel insights into the BGC landscape in agricultural soils of China, substantially expanding our understanding of the diversity and novelty of bacterial secondary metabolism and the potential role of secondary metabolites in microbiota assembly.IMPORTANCEBacterial secondary metabolites not only serve as the foundation for numerous therapeutics (e.g., antibiotics and anticancer drugs), but they also play critical ecological roles in mediating microbial interactions (e.g., competition and communication). However, our knowledge of bacterial secondary metabolism is limited to only a small fraction of cultured strains, thus restricting our comprehensive understanding of their diversity, novelty, and potential ecological roles in soil ecosystems. Here, we used culture-independent metagenomics to explore biosynthetic potentials in agricultural soils of China. Our analyses revealed a high degree of genetic diversity and novelty within biosynthetic gene clusters in agricultural soil environments, offering valuable insights for biochemists seeking to synthesize novel bioactive products. Furthermore, we uncovered the pivotal role of BGC-rich species in microbial communities and the significant relationship between BGC richness and microbial phylogenetic turnover. This information emphasizes the importance of biosynthetic potential in the assembly of microbial communities.

This study investigated the impacts of light irradiation and polymer types on the leaching behavior of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from microplastics (MPs) in freshwater. Polypropylene had the highest leaching capacity of DOM after photoaging, followed by polystyrene (PS), polyamide (PA) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). While similarly low levels of DOM were observed in the remaining 5 MP suspensions under UV irradiation and in almost all MP suspensions (except PA) under darkness. These suggest that the photooxidation of some buoyant plastics may influence the carbon cycling of nature waters. Among 9 MP-derived leachates, PET leachates had the highest chromophoric DOM concentration and aromaticity, probably owing to the special benzene rings and carbonyl groups in PET structures and its fast degradation rate. Protein-like substances were the primary fluorescent DOM in MP suspensions (except PS), especially in darkness no other fluorescent substances were found. Considering the bio-labile properties of proteins together, MPs regardless of floating or suspended in an aquatic environment may have prevalent long-term effects on microbial activities. Besides, from monomers to hexamers with newly formed chemical bonds were identified in UV-irradiated MP suspensions. These results will contribute to a deep insight into the potential ecological effects related to MP degradation.

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) is a significant public health concern, particularly in China. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) can provide abundant pathological information regarding etiology and could include candidate biomarkers for diagnosis of TB. However, data regarding lncRNA expression profiles and specific lncRNAs associated with TB are limited.MethodsWe performed ceRNA-microarray analysis to determine the expression profile of lncRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was then conducted to identify the critical module and genes associated with TB. Other bioinformatics analyses, including Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), Gene Ontology (GO), and co-expression networks, were conducted to explore the function of the critical module. Finally, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to validate the candidate biomarkers, and receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to assess the diagnostic performance of the candidate biomarkers.ResultsBased on 8 TB patients and 9 healthy controls (HCs), a total of 1,372 differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified, including 738 upregulated lncRNAs and 634 downregulated lncRNAs. Among all lncRNAs and mRNAs in the microarray, the top 25% lncRNAs (3729) and top 25% mRNAs (2824), which exhibited higher median expression values, were incorporated into the WGCNA. The analysis generated 16 co-expression modules, among which the blue module was highly correlated with TB. GO and KEGG analyses showed that the blue module was significantly enriched in infection and immunity. Subsequently, considering module membership values (>0.85), gene significance values (>0.90) and fold-change value (>2 or

The extraction of water from the atmosphere is considered as a potential solution to alleviate the problem of water shortages. Therefore, it is crucial to improving the efficiency of water production from atmosphere. In this work, the effect of temperature of the condensing surface below 0 °C on the water productivity of thermoelectric water generator (TWG) has been studied for the first time. The experimental results indicate that the average water productivity increases with the decrease of the condensing fin surface temperature and there is a maximum increase of 186 % in the average water productivity of TWG when the temperature of condensing fin surface decreases from 5 °C to −10 °C, which is due to the increased temperature difference and the enhanced thermal conductivity of the ice layer. When the form of condensation on the surface of condensing fins is changed from condensing to frosting, the water productivity is increased by 22.1 % at maximum, which can be attributed to the higher thermal conductivity of ice than water. The effect of the sampling time on average water productivity of TWG has also been studied. With the increase of sampling time (0.5 h–3.5 h), the average water productivity of the device gradually decreases by 30.3 %. And the highest average productivity of TWG has been observed at a sampling time of 0.5 h. In addition, the effects of flow rate of water in water block heat exchanger, air flow rate of the cooling fan, voltage of TEC on water productivity are experimentally investigated as well. This study provides a strong theoretical foundation for enhancing the water productivity from humid air.

Abstract Oryza coarctata (2n = 4X = 48, KKLL) is an allotetraploid, undomesticated relative of rice and the only species in the genus Oryza with tolerance to high salinity and submergence. Therefore, it contains important stress and tolerance genes/factors for rice. The initial draft genome published was limited by data and technical restrictions, leading to an incomplete and highly fragmented assembly. This study reports a new, highly contiguous chromosome-level genome assembly and annotation of O. coarctata. PacBio high-quality HiFi reads generated 460 contigs with a total length of 573.4 Mb and an N50 of 23.1 Mb, which were assembled into scaffolds with Hi-C data, anchoring 96.99% of the assembly onto 24 chromosomes. The genome assembly comprises 45,571 genes, and repetitive content contributes 25.5% of the genome. This study provides the novel identification of the KK and LL genome types of the genus Oryza, leading to valuable insights into rice genome evolution. The chromosome-level genome assembly of O. coarctata is a valuable resource for rice research and molecular breeding.

Abstract Optical tweezers exert a strong trapping force on cells, making it crucial to analyze the movement of trapped cells. The rotation of cells plays a significant role in their swimming patterns, such as in sperm cells. We proposed a fast deep-learning-based method that can automatically determine the projection orientation of ellipsoidal-like cells without additional optical design. This method was utilized for analyzing the planar rotation of trapped sperm cells using an optical tweezer, demonstrating its feasibility in extracting the rotation of the cell head. Furthermore, we employed this method to investigate sperm cell activity by examining variations in sperm rotation rates under different conditions, including temperature and laser output power. Our findings provide evidence for the effectiveness of this method and the rotation analysis method developed may have clinical potential for sperm quality evaluation.

Background: In this study, we utilized whole genome sequencing (WGS) of clinical extremely drug-resistant tuberculosis (EDR-TB) strains collected during 2014–2020 in Beijing to detect clustered strains. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted by inclusion of EDR-TB patients with positive cultures in Beijing between 2014 and 2020. Results: A total of 95 EDR-TB patients were included in our analysis. Up on the WGS based genotyping, 94 (94/95, 98.9%) out of 95 were identified as lineage 2 (East Asia). The pairwise genomic distance analysis identified 7 clusters, ranging in size from 2 to 5 isolates. The clustering rate of EDR-TB was 21.1%; while no patients had significantly higher odds of clustering. All isolates harbor rpoB RRDR mutations that confer RIF resistance and katG or inhA promoter mutations that confer INH resistance. Of 95 EDR-TB isolates, a total of 15 mutation types were recorded in the transcriptional regulator mmpR5. In vitro susceptibility testing results revealed that 14 (14/15, 93.3%) out of 15 mutation types were resistant to CFZ; whereas only 3 (3/15, 20.0%) showed resistance to BDQ. Interestingly, 12 isolates harbored mutations within rrl locus, whereas only mutations at positions 2294 and 2296 conferred CLA resistance. Favorable outcomes of EDR-TB patients were positively associated with more effective drugs in the regimes. Conclusion: WGS data demonstrate limited transmission of EDR-TB in this metropolis city. WGS-based drug susceptibility predictions will bring benefits to EDR-TB patients to formulate optimal therapeutic regimens.

Depression is a major psychological disorder with a growing impact worldwide. Traditional methods for detecting the risk of depression, predominantly reliant on psychiatric evaluations and self-assessment questionnaires, are often criticized for their inefficiency and lack of objectivity. Advancements in deep learning have paved the way for innovations in depression risk detection methods that fuse multimodal data. This paper introduces a novel framework, the Audio, Video, and Text Fusion-Three Branch Network (AVTF-TBN), designed to amalgamate auditory, visual, and textual cues for a comprehensive analysis of depression risk. Our approach encompasses three dedicated branches—Audio Branch, Video Branch, and Text Branch—each responsible for extracting salient features from the corresponding modality. These features are subsequently fused through a multimodal fusion (MMF) module, yielding a robust feature vector that feeds into a predictive modeling layer. To further our research, we devised an emotion elicitation paradigm based on two distinct tasks—reading and interviewing—implemented to gather a rich, sensor-based depression risk detection dataset. The sensory equipment, such as cameras, captures subtle facial expressions and vocal characteristics essential for our analysis. The research thoroughly investigates the data generated by varying emotional stimuli and evaluates the contribution of different tasks to emotion evocation. During the experiment, the AVTF-TBN model has the best performance when the data from the two tasks are simultaneously used for detection, where the F1 Score is 0.78, Precision is 0.76, and Recall is 0.81. Our experimental results confirm the validity of the paradigm and demonstrate the efficacy of the AVTF-TBN model in detecting depression risk, showcasing the crucial role of sensor-based data in mental health detection.

BackgroundUrinary incontinence (UI) might be linked to suicidal ideation, but we do not yet have all the relevant details. This study aimed to dig deeper into the connection between UI and suicidal ideation using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).MethodsWe examined 31,891 participants aged ≥ 20 years from NHANES 2005-2018 who provided complete information. We used standardized surveys to check for UI and signs of suicidal ideation. To better understand this relationship, we used statistical tools such as multivariable logistic regression, subgroup analysis, and sensitivity analyses.ResultsAmong the 31,891 participants, 28.9% reported UI and 10.7% reported suicidal ideation. Those with UI exhibited a significantly greater incidence of suicidal ideation (15.5%) than did those without UI (8.8%, P < 0.001). After adjusting for various factors, including age, sex, marital status, socioeconomic status, educational level, lifestyle factors, and chronic comorbidities, UI remained significantly associated with suicidal ideation (OR:1.54, 95% CI = 1.39-1.7, P < 0.001). Among all types of UI, MUI participants were more likely to experience suicidal ideation. Compared with no UI, higher odds of suicidal ideation suffered from MUI (OR:2.11, 95%CI:1.83-2.44, P < 0.001), SUI (OR:1.4, 95%CI:1.19-1.65, P < 0.001), UUI(OR:1.37,95%CI:1.16-1.62, P < 0.001) after full adjustment. With the exception of individuals living with a partner, the remaining subgroups exhibited a positive correlation between urinary incontinence and suicidal ideation, considering that factors such as age, sex, and prevalent comorbidities such as hypertension, depression, and diabetes did not reveal any statistically significant interactions (all P > 0.05). Sensitivity analyses, incorporating imputed missing covariates, did not substantially alter the results (OR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.4-1.68, P < 0.001).ConclusionUrinary incontinence may correlate with increased suicidal ideation risk, priority screening for suicidal ideation and timely intervention are essential for individuals with urinary incontinence, but prospective studies are needed to verify the results.

Objectives: Osteoporosis (OP) is characterized by reduced bone mass and impaired bone microstructure. Paeoniflorin (PF) is isolated from peony root with anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and bone-protective effects. Up to now, the mechanism of anti-OP in PF has not been completely clarified. Methods: The expression of MEDAG in osteoclasts, osteoblasts and adipocytes was detected by RT-qPCR. The OVX mouse model was constructed, and oral administration of PF was performed for 15 weeks. Bone microstructure was detected by H&E staining and a micro-CT system, and expression of signaling proteins examined by Western blot and immunohistochemical staining. ELISA and biochemical kits were used to quantify serum metabolite levels. Key findings: MEDAG were upregulated in osteoclasts and adipocytes, and downregulated in osteoblasts. PF administration effectively alleviated OVX-induced bone loss, and histological changes in femur tissues. Moreover, PF significantly reduced serum TRAP, CTX-1, P1NP, BALP, and LDL-C levels and increased HDL-C. In addition, PF inhibited the expression of MEDAG, cathepsin K, NFATc1, PPARγ, and C/EBPα and increased p-AMPKα, OPG and Runx2. Conclusions: MEDAG is a potential target for bone diseases, and PF might attenuate OVX-induced osteoporosis via MEDAG/AMPK/PPARγ signaling pathway.

Cage‐like metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising for hexane isomer separation, but their aperture sizes are difficult to control precisely. Herein, a molecular valve strategy is proposed to fine‐tune the aperture of cage‐like MOFs, thereby enhancing their separation performance for hexane isomers. Three novel isostructural cage‐like MOFs, namely Cu‐MO4‐TPA, are synthesized using different oxometallate anions (MO42−, M = Cr, Mo, and W) and the ligand tri(pyridin‐4‐yl)amine (TPA). The different oxometallate anions induce varying degrees of twisting in the TPA ligand, leading to sub‐angstrom tuning in the aperture size of the MOFs. The materials can separate hexane isomers based on their degree of branching, with the smallest aperture material (Cu‐MoO4‐TPA) showing molecular sieving of di‐branched isomers. Adsorption isotherms, kinetic, and breakthrough measurements, Monte Carlo, and density functional theory calculations confirm the aperture size differences result in superior separation of hexane isomers by molecular sieving on Cu‐MoO4‐TPA. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of molecular valve strategy for fine‐tuning MOF aperture size for selective separation applications.

The chemical evolution and pressure–temperature conditions of subduction zone magmatism along ancient suture zones in orogenic belts can provide important information regarding plate convergence processes in paleo-oceans. Carboniferous magmatism in West Junggar is key to understanding the tectonothermal and subduction history of the Junggar Ocean, which was a branch of the Paleo-Asian Ocean, as well as the accretionary processes in the southwestern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). We undertook a geochronological, mineralogical, geochemical, and Sr–Nd–Hf–Pb isotopic study of volcanic rocks from the Baikouquan area of West Junggar. We used these data to determine the petrogenesis, mantle source, and pressure–temperature conditions of these magmas, and further constrain the subduction and tectonic history of the Junggar Ocean. The studied volcanic rocks yielded zircon U–Pb ages of 342–337 Ma and are characterized by enrichments of large-ion lithophile elements (LILEs), and depletions in high-field-strength elements (HFSEs), indicative of an island arc affinity. The volcanic rocks have positive ƐNd(t) (5.83–7.04) and ƐHf(t) (13.47–15.74) values, 87Sr/86Sr(t) ratios of 0.704023–0.705658, and radiogenic 207Pb/204Pb(t) and 208Pb/204Pb(t) ratios at a given 206Pb/204Pb(t) ratio, indicative of a depleted mantle source contaminated by subduction-related materials. Geochemical modeling calculations indicate that ≤1% of a subduction component comprising fluid and sediment melt could have generated the source of the parental melts of the Baikouquan volcanic rocks. Clinopyroxene phenocrysts in the volcanic rocks are classified as high- and low-Ti clinopyroxene, and pressure–temperature calculations suggest the host rocks formed at high temperatures (∼1300 °C) and shallow to moderate depths (

IntroductionThis study aimed to evaluate morphological changes in cortical and subcortical regions and their asymmetrical differences in individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). These morphological changes may provide valuable insights into the early diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD).MethodsWe conducted structural MRI scans on a cohort comprising 62 SCD patients, 97 MCI patients, and 70 age-, sex-, and years of education-matched healthy controls (HC). Using Freesurfer, we quantified surface area, thickness, the local gyrification index (LGI) of cortical regions, and the volume of subcortical nuclei. Asymmetry measures were also calculated. Additionally, we explored the correlation between morphological changes and clinical variables related to cognitive decline.ResultsCompared to HC, patients with MCI exhibited predominantly left-sided surface morphological changes in various brain regions, including the transverse temporal gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, insula, and pars opercularis. SCD patients showed relatively minor surface morphological changes, primarily in the insula and pars triangularis. Furthermore, MCI patients demonstrated reduced volumes in the anterior-superior region of the right hypothalamus, the fimbria of the bilateral hippocampus, and the anterior region of the left thalamus. These observed morphological changes were significantly associated with clinical ratings of cognitive decline.ConclusionThe findings of this study suggest that cortical and subcortical morphometric changes may contribute to cognitive impairment in MCI, while compensatory mechanisms may be at play in SCD to preserve cognitive function. These insights have the potential to aid in the early diagnosis and treatment of AD.

Summary: Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent programmed cell death triggered by excessive lipid peroxidation, has shown promising therapeutic potentials in human diseases. Here, we describe a protocol of a CRISPR-Cas9 loss-of-function screen to identify regulators in response to different inducers of ferroptosis. We emphasize the steps of library amplification, drug treatment, high-throughput sequencing preparation, and bioinformatics analysis using model-based analysis of genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 knockout (MAGeCK). We also present a method to discover the regulators of ferroptosis and verify the potential targets efficiently.For complete details on use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Yang et al. (2023).1 : Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.

Perovskite photovoltaic has been attracting intense attention as an emerging technology due to its figure of merits including high power conversion efficiency, low-cost fabrication, and others. A successful commercialization of this type of technology has been significantly retarded by issues of elemental toxicity and device stability which are related to the key component of lead (Pb) in most efficient halide perovskites. Here, we first elucidated the origin of the superior optoelectronic properties of lead halide perovskites and their impact on photovoltaic device performance. We then discussed the promising approaches to solve the toxicity issue of lead hybrid perovskites. We further outlooked the effective solutions for lead hybrid perovskites for solar cell application. This review may provide a guidance for researchers interested in facilitating perovskite solar cells from exploitation to application.

This review provides an overview of the key role played by perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) in the protection of cardiovascular health. PVAT is a specific type of adipose tissue that wraps around blood vessels and has recently emerged as a critical factor for maintenance of vascular health. Through a profound exploration of existing research, this review sheds light on the intricate structural composition and cellular origins of PVAT, with a particular emphasis on combining its regulatory functions for vascular tone, inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial function. The review then delves into the intricate mechanisms by which PVAT exerts its protective effects, including the secretion of diverse adipokines and manipulation of the renin-angiotensin complex. The review further examines the alterations in PVAT function and phenotype observed in several cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, and heart failure. Recognizing the complex interactions of PVAT with the cardiovascular system is critical for pursuing breakthrough therapeutic strategies that can target cardiovascular disease. Therefore, this review aims to augment present understanding of the protective role of PVAT in cardiovascular health, with a special emphasis on elucidating potential mechanisms and paving the way for future research directions in this evolving field.

IntroductionThe time, frequency, and space information of electroencephalogram (EEG) signals is crucial for motor imagery decoding. However, these temporal-frequency-spatial features are high-dimensional small-sample data, which poses significant challenges for motor imagery decoding. Sparse regularization is an effective method for addressing this issue. However, the most commonly employed sparse regularization models in motor imagery decoding, such as the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), is a biased estimation method and leads to the loss of target feature information.MethodsIn this paper, we propose a non-convex sparse regularization model that employs the Cauchy function. By designing a proximal gradient algorithm, our proposed model achieves closer-to-unbiased estimation than existing sparse models. Therefore, it can learn more accurate, discriminative, and effective feature information. Additionally, the proposed method can perform feature selection and classification simultaneously, without requiring additional classifiers.ResultsWe conducted experiments on two publicly available motor imagery EEG datasets. The proposed method achieved an average classification accuracy of 82.98% and 64.45% in subject-dependent and subject-independent decoding assessment methods, respectively.ConclusionThe experimental results show that the proposed method can significantly improve the performance of motor imagery decoding, with better classification performance than existing feature selection and deep learning methods. Furthermore, the proposed model shows better generalization capability, with parameter consistency over different datasets and robust classification across different training sample sizes. Compared with existing sparse regularization methods, the proposed method converges faster, and with shorter model training time.

Abstract The “Nanhai I” shipwreck is an important discovery in the underwater archaeology of China, and many ceramics have been unearthed. These ceramics are important material artifacts of China’s “Maritime Silk Road” and have considerable significance for the study of foreign trade in the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279 A.D.). However, these ceramics have been buried in a marine environment for approximately 800 years and have all been corroded to varying degrees, with green-glazed pottery being the most severely corroded. In this study, the chemical compositions of five samples of green-glazed pottery and the corrosion morphology and mechanism of a representative sample were analyzed by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometry (SEM–EDS), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Results: The green glaze is a low-temperature silica-aluminum oxide-lead oxide (SiO2-Al2O3-PbO) glaze with copper ions (Cu2+) as the main colorant. The corrosion morphology is characterized by alternating silicon (Si)- and lead (Pb)-rich layers, a sharp reaction interface between the Si-rich layer and the pristine glaze, and a relatively high porosity of the Si-rich gel layer, which is formed by the accumulation of spherical hydrated silica colloidal particles. These features suggest that the glaze was corroded through an interface-coupled dissolution–precipitation mechanism and that the properties of the gel pores controlled the reaction kinetics. Fluctuations in the solution properties at the reaction interface produced the complex morphology of the gel layer, whereas changes in the dryness and humidity of the environment are not essential factors. The samples have been corroding in the marine environment for nearly a thousand years, and explorations of the corrosion morphology and mechanism could provide reference information on the corrosion of various ancient ceramics and glasses and a basis for scientific conservation of these objects.

In this paper, a new flexible stab-resistant composite material was prepared by growing ZnO nanowires on aramid plain fabric by the hydrothermal method. Through SEM, FTIR, and XRD characterization, it is proved that ZnO nanowires have been grown on aramid fabric and the surfaces of aramid filaments become much rougher. Moreover, the inter-filament friction and breaking strength of aramid fabric with nanowires are increased significantly, especially the inter-filament friction, which has been increased by more than 4 times after ZnO nanowires growth. Stab tests were conducted on the bare aramid fabric sample and aramid fabric sample with ZnO nanowires based on the test standard of GA 68–2019. Both of the two samples are 43 layers and are subject to 5 stabs of D1 knife, 3 stabs of D2 knife and 3 stabs of D3 knife. The stab resistance of aramid fabric grown with nanowires is significantly enhanced, and the average penetration depth under the D1 knife impact is decreased by 49.7%. The reason may be that the inter-filament friction increases dramatically with the nanowires and thus the friction energy consumption increases. The flexibility test results show that the softness characteristics of the single aramid fabric and the 43-layer fabric with the nanowires are still maintained. In addition, although the growth of nanowires will lead to smaller voids and a decrease of air permeability of the fabric, the moisture permeability has been slightly improved because ZnO nanowires have the ability to bind with water.

This study aims to assess the contents of different kinds of low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOAs) in reclaimed soil filled with fly ash in the Huainan mining area in China using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Using a mobile phase consisting of 0.1% phosphoric acid and acetonitrile in a volume ratio of 98:2, the detection was performed at a wavelength of 210 nm for 15 min. In addition, a cluster analysis was performed on the detected LMWOAs in the reclaimed soil. The correlations between the LMWOA and nutrient contents in the reclaimed soil were also analyzed. In total, eight and seven LMWOAs were detected in the reclaimed soil and filled fly ash, respectively. In contrast, no LMWOAs were detected in the fresh fly ash from a thermal power plant. The order of total LMWOA contents at different sampling points followed the order of farmland control soil > 1# (Triticum aestivum) > 4# (Phragmites australis) > 5# (Vigna radiata) > 2# (Sorghum bicolor) > 3# (Tamarix ramosissima) > fly ash-filled soil. The farmland control soil and fly ash-filled soil exhibited the highest and lowest LMWOA contents of 648.22 and 85.09 μg·g−1, respectively. The LMWOA contents in the reclaimed soil followed the order of oxalic acid > tartaric acid > malonic acid > lactic acid > acetic acid > citric acid > propionic acid > succinic acid. Indeed, oxalic acids exhibited the highest total amount of 1445.79 μg·g−1 and succinic acids exhibited the lowest total amount of 6.50 μg·g−1. The LMWOA contents in the reclaimed soil decreased with increasing soil depth, showing statistically significant differences between the 0–10 and 10–40 cm soil layers (p < 0.05). According to the obtained clustering results, the detected LMWOAs can be divided into two categories. The first category consisted of oxalic acid, while the second category included the remaining LMWOAs. The soil LMWOA contents of 4# (Phragmites australis) and 5# (Vigna radiata) were significantly different from those at the other sampling points. According to the Pearson correlation analysis results, the occurrence and characteristics of the soil LMWOAs can be controlled by regulating the pH values and available nutrient contents in the soil, thereby improving the eco-environmental conditions of the reclaimed rhizosphere.

Probe-based confocal laser endoscopy (pCLE) has emerged as a powerful tool for disease diagnosis, yet it faces challenges such as the formation of hexagonal patterns in images due to the inherent characteristics of fiber bundles. Recent advancements in deep learning offer promise in image denoising, but the acquisition of clean-noisy image pairs for training networks across all potential scenarios can be prohibitively costly. Few studies have explored training denoising networks on such pairs. Here, we propose an innovative self-supervised denoising method. Our approach integrates noise prediction networks, image quality assessment networks, and denoising networks in a collaborative, jointly trained manner. Compared to prior self-supervised denoising methods, our approach yields superior results on pCLE images and fluorescence microscopy images. In summary, our novel self-supervised denoising technique enhances image quality in pCLE diagnosis by leveraging the synergy of noise prediction, image quality assessment, and denoising networks, surpassing previous methods on both pCLE and fluorescence microscopy images.

Cracks and crack-like defects in engineering structures have greatly reduced the structural strength. An interface crack with one contact area in a combined tension–shear field of decagonal quasicrystal bi-material is investigated. Based on the deformation compatibility equation and displacement potential function, the complex representation of stress and displacement is given. Using the mixed boundary conditions, the closed-form expressions for the stresses and the displacement jumps in the phonon field and phason field on the material interface are obtained. The results show that the stress intensity factor at the crack tip is zero for the phason field. The variation in the stress intensity factor and the length of the contact zone in the phonon field is given, and the result is consistent with the properties of the crystal. The design of safe engineering structures and the formulation of reasonable quality acceptance standards may benefit from the theoretical research carried out here.

Background: Mutant analysis remains one of the main genetic tools for characterising unclarified gene functions in plants, especially in non-model plants. Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.) is a popular perennial ornamental plant grown worldwide. Analysis of daylily mutants can enhance understanding of genes regulating the albino phenotype and improve the cultivar quality of daylily. Methods: The natural albino mutant (Alb-⁣/-) was isolated by screening a self-pollinated progeny of daylily cultivar ‘black-eyed stella’. Transmission electron microscopy was used in analysing the structure of plastids between mutant and wild-type seedlings. The content of chlorophyll, carotenoids and chlorophyll precursors in plants was measured by ultraviolet spectrophotometry. RNA sequencing and physiological measurements were performed to explore the association between drought tolerance and mutation. Results: All the seedlings of the daylily albino mutants died spontaneously within fifteen days after germination when grown in soil. The carotenoid and chlorophyll content in the leaves of the mutant plants significantly decreased compared with those of the wild-type control. The mutant plants displayed stunted growth, and their leaves were white or light yellow in color. Abnormal plastids such as those showing endomembrane vesiculation and lacking stacking were discovered in the leaves of mutant plants. Furthermore, genetic analysis revealed that a single recessive nuclear gene mutation led to the albino trait, RNA sequencing and real-time quantitative PCR validation showed extensive differences in gene expression between the mutant plants and the wild-type control, and most of the genes related to chlorophyll metabolism were down-regulated, with foldchange ranging from 0.20–0.49. Additionally, the surviving homozygous plants (Alb+⁣/+), which do not contain this mutation, were also isolated by analysing the phenotype of their self-pollinated progeny. The net photosynthesis rate and light saturation point of Alb+⁣/+ were higher than those of heterozygous (Alb+⁣/-) plants. Additionally, the Alb+⁣/+ plants were more tolerant to drought conditions than the Alb+⁣/- plants, suggesting that a heterozygous Alb- mutation is sufficient to negatively affect photosynthetic efficiency and drought tolerance. Conclusions: The albino mutation negatively affects photosynthetic efficiency and drought tolerance, and homozygous mutation is required for the characteristic albino phenotype. This work highlights the link between albino mutation, photosynthetic pigment metabolism and drought sensitivity in daylily.

This study analyzed the differences in ozone (O3) sensitivity in four different urban areas in China from February 2019 to January 2020 based on data on various near-surface pollutants from passive multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) sites and nearby China National Environmental Monitoring Center (CNEMC) sites. Across the four cities, the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and formaldehyde (HCHO) concentrations varied seasonally. Xianghe consistently displayed the lowest NO2 levels, suggesting reduced emissions compared to other cities. Guangzhou, a city with a robust economy and a high level of vehicle ownership, exhibited higher concentrations in spring. Summer brought elevated HCHO levels in Guangzhou, Xianghe, and Shenyang due to intensified photochemical processes. Autumn and winter showed higher HCHO concentrations in Guangzhou and Xianghe compared to Lanzhou and Shenyang. Overall, Guangzhou recorded the highest annual averages, due to its developed economy, while Xianghe’s lower NO2 levels were offset by the elevated HCHO due to higher O3 values. The analysis delved into primary and secondary HCHO sources across seasons and used carbon monoxide (CO) and O3 data. Xianghe showcased the dominance of secondary sources in summer and autumn, while Lanzhou was characterized by primary dominance throughout the year. Shenyang mirrored Xianghe’s evolution due to industrial emissions. In Guangzhou, due to the high levels of vehicular traffic and sunlight conditions, secondary sources predominantly influenced HCHO concentrations. These findings highlight the interplay between primary and secondary emissions in diverse urban settings. This study explored O3 sensitivity variations across seasons. Xianghe exhibited a balanced distribution among volatile organic compound (VOC)-limited conditions, nitrogen oxide (NOx)-limited conditions, and transitional influences. Lanzhou was mainly affected by VOC-limited conditions in winter and NOx-limited conditions in other seasons. Shenyang’s sensitivity varied with the seasons and was primarily influenced by transitions between VOCs and NOx in autumn and NOx-limited conditions otherwise. Guangzhou experienced varied influences. During periods of high O3 pollution, all regions were affected by NOx-limited conditions, indicating the necessity of NOx monitoring in these areas, especially during summer in all regions and during autumn in Xianghe and Guangzhou.

The adsorptive separation of CH4 from CO2 is a promising process for upgrading natural gas. However, thermodynamically selective adsorbents exhibit a strong affinity for CO2 and thus require a high energy compensation for regeneration. Instead, kinetic separation is preferred for a pressure swing adsorption process, although precise control of the aperture size to achieve a tremendous discrepancy in diffusion rates remains challenging. Here, we report a guest solvent-directed strategy for fine-tuning the pore size at a sub-angstrom precision to realize highly efficient kinetic separation. A series of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with isomeric pore surface chemistry were constructed from 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropyli-dene)-bis(benzoic acid) and dicopper paddlewheel notes. The resultant CuFMOF·CH3OH (CuFMOF-c) exhibits an excellent kinetic separation performance thanks to a periodically expanding and contracting aperture with the ideal bottleneck size, which enables the effective trapping of CO2 and impedes the diffusion of CH4, offering an ultrahigh kinetic selectivity (273.5) and equilibrium-kinetic combined selectivity (64.2). Molecular dynamics calculations elucidate the separation mechanism, and breakthrough experiments validate the separation performance.

Abstract Risky decision-making is critical to survival and development, which has been compromised in elderly populations. However, the neural substrates of altered financial risk-taking behavior in aging are still under-investigated. Here we examined the intrinsic putamen network in modulating risk-taking behaviors of Balloon Analogue Risk Task in healthy young and older adults using resting-state fMRI. Compared with the young group, the elderly group showed significantly different task performance. Based on the task performance, older adults were further subdivided into two subgroups, showing young-like and over-conservative risk behaviors, regardless of cognitive decline. Compared with young adults, the intrinsic pattern of putamen connectivity was significantly different in over-conservative older adults, but not in young-like older adults. Notably, age-effects on risk behaviors were mediated via the putamen functional connectivity. In addition, the putamen gray matter volume showed significantly different relationships with risk behaviors and functional connectivity in over-conservative older adults. Our findings suggest that reward-based risky behaviors might be a sensitive indicator of brain aging, highlighting the critical role of the putamen network in maintaining optimal risky decision-making in age-related cognitive decline.

Abstract Background Whether only low-grade blastocysts should undergo freeze–thaw transfer during the in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycle remains controversial; however, high-quality embryos cannot be obtained from some patients. Therefore, we aimed to identify factors that may affect the live birth. Methods A total of 662 couples with only low-grade blastocysts who voluntarily accepted freeze–thaw blastocyst transfer at a single reproductive center over a 7-year period were followed-up. According to the outcome after transfer, they were divided into live birth group and failed pregnancy group. A nomogram was constructed for predicting live births. Results Baseline information and clinical treatment characteristics of patients in the two groups were comparable. Fifty-two of the 662 cycles (7.9%) resulted in live birth. Paternal age, maternal basal luteinizing hormone level, endometrial preparation scheme, and blastocyst development days were independent factors that affected low-grade blastocyst freeze–thaw transfer outcomes. The predictive model constructed based on these four factors presented favorable calibration and discriminatory abilities (area under the curve, 0.734; 95% confidence interval, 0.781–0.813). Conclusions For patients who exclusively underwent low-grade blastocyst freeze–thaw transfer, advanced paternal age and a high level of maternal basal luteinizing hormone adversely affected low-grade blastocyst freeze–thaw transfer outcomes. Artificial cycle preparation of the endometrium and day 5 blastocyst selection may improve the probability of live birth.

Abstract Background Ectopic ossification is an important cause of disability in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Whether fibroblasts can transdifferentiate into osteoblasts and contribute to ossification remains unknown. This study aims to investigate the role of stem cell transcription factors (POU5F1, SOX2, KLF4, MYC, etc.) of fibroblasts in ectopic ossification in patients with AS. Methods Primary fibroblasts were isolated from the ligaments of patients with AS or osteoarthritis (OA). In an in vitro study, primary fibroblasts were cultured in osteogenic differentiation medium (ODM) to induce ossification. The level of mineralization was assessed by mineralization assay. The mRNA and protein levels of stem cell transcription factors were measured by real-time quantitative PCR (q-PCR) and western blotting. MYC was knocked down by infecting primary fibroblasts with lentivirus. The interactions between stem cell transcription factors and osteogenic genes were analysed by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). Recombinant human cytokines were added to the osteogenic model in vitro to evaluate their role in ossification. Results We found that MYC was elevated significantly in the process of inducing primary fibroblasts to differentiate into osteoblasts. In addition, the level of MYC was remarkably higher in AS ligaments than in OA ligaments. When MYC was knocked down, the expression of the osteogenic genes alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP2) was decreased, and the level of mineralization was reduced significantly. In addition, the ALP and BMP2 were confirmed to be the direct target genes of MYC. Furthermore, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), which showed high expression in AS ligaments, was found to promote the expression of MYC in fibroblasts in the process of ossification in vitro. Conclusions This study demonstrates the role of MYC in ectopic ossification. MYC may act as the critical bridge that links inflammation with ossification in AS, thus providing new insights into the molecular mechanisms of ectopic ossification in AS.

Abstract As a highly conserved and ubiquitously expressed serine/threonine kinase, p21-activated kinase 2 (PAK2) participates in diverse biologic events. However, its roles in mouse oocyte meiotic maturation remain unclear. The present study revealed that mouse oocytes depleted of Pak2 were unable to completely progress through meiosis and that a majority were arrested at metaphase I. Pak2 depletion thus prompted MI arrest and induced meiotic chromosome alignment defects in mouse oocytes, in part due to a reduction in polo-like kinase (PLK1). We demonstrated that PAK2’s interaction with PLK1 protected it from degradation by APC/CCdh1, and that it promoted meiotic progression and bipolar spindle formation. Our data collectively display critical functions for PAK2 in meiotic progression and chromosome alignment in mouse oocytes.

Abstract Purpose Maritime cultural relics from the Nanhai No. 1 shipwreck were immersed in a buffer to maintain stability. To better monitor the changes in the composition of microorganisms in the buffer and, thus, prevent the damage to artifacts caused by harmful microorganisms. Methods In September and November 2019, we conducted high-throughput sequencing of water samples from four types of maritime cultural relics (ironware, porcelain, axe, and hull wood) to reveal the composition and changes in microbial communities. In addition, we isolated culturable microorganisms and conducted biocide sensitivity tests and lignin and cellulose degradation tests. Results Visible microbial colonization was observed in the water samples collected from the buffer solutions of ironware, porcelain, axe, and hull wood of the Nanhai No. 1 shipwreck; additionally, apparent differences in the composition of microorganisms in the water samples collected from different cultural relics and different collection times of the same cultural relics were noted. Few species of bacteria and fungi from the microbial community observed in the maritime cultural relics were cultured, and it was noted that various biocides had certain inhibitory effects on them. Some dominant strains had lignin and cellulose degradation abilities and could only grow under specific environmental conditions. Conclusion We found apparent differences in the composition of microorganisms obtained from different cultural relics and different collection times of the same cultural relics. This study can provide data support for better protection of maritime cultural relics obtained from the Nanhai No. 1 shipwreck and provide a theoretical basis for the biological protection of other maritime cultural relics.