The evolutionary origin and domestication history of goldfish (Carassius auratus).

Goldfish have been subjected to over 1,000 y of intensive domestication and selective breeding. In this report, we describe a high-quality goldfish genome (2n = 100), anchoring 95.75% of contigs into 50 pseudochromosomes. Comparative genomics enabled us to disentangle the two subgenomes that resulted from an ancient hybridization event. Resequencing 185 representative goldfish variants and 16 wild crucian carp revealed the origin of goldfish and identified genomic regions that have been shaped by selective sweeps linked to its domestication. Our comprehensive collection of goldfish varieties enabled us to associate genetic variations with a number of well-known anatomical features, including features that distinguish traditional goldfish clades. Additionally, we identified a tyrosine-protein kinase receptor as a candidate causal gene for the first well-known case of Mendelian inheritance in goldfish-the transparent mutant. The goldfish genome and diversity data offer unique resources to make goldfish a promising model for functional genomics, as well as domestication.

Feed-in tariffs and the carbon emission trading scheme under China's peak emission target: A dynamic CGE analysis for the development of renewable electricity.

Thermal power industry is one of China's leading sources of carbon emissions. China has launched a national carbon emissions trading scheme (ETS) and renewable energy incentive programs to achieve its peak emission target by 2030. However, since 2021, China no longer provides a central feed-in tariff (FIT) for new centrally located solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants, commercial and industrially distributed PV projects, and newly approved onshore wind power projects. This change in policy may threaten China's carbon reduction targets and economic development. Using a dynamic computable general equilibrium (CGE) model, we assess the combined effects of carbon ETS and FIT on China's electricity sector, carbon emission peak target, renewable energy and economic development. In terms of policy overlap and integration, we analyze the impact of these policies and estimate how to coordinate FIT and carbon ETS policies to ensure their effectiveness. Results show that the overall effects of FIT subsidies are superior to phasing-out FIT scenarios. The fiscal pressure caused by FIT is lower than its actual expenditure because it stimulates economic activity and boosts government revenue. However, considering the multiplier effect of the FIT on promoting government revenue growth and GDP growth, the most effective FIT should be terminated in 2025, followed by subsidies ending in 2030 and 2035.

The response of stocks of C, N, and P to plant invasion in the coastal wetlands of China.

The increasing success of invasive plant species in wetland areas can threaten their capacity to store carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus (C, N, and P). Here, we have investigated the relationships between the different stocks of soil organic carbon (SOC), and total C, N, and P pools in the plant-soil system from eight different wetland areas across the South-East coast of China, where the invasive tallgrass Spartina alterniflora has replaced the native tall grasses Phragmites australis and the mangrove communities, originally dominated by the native species Kandelia obovata and Avicennia marina. The invasive success of Spartina alterniflora replacing Phragmites australis did not greatly influence soil traits, biomass accumulation or plant-soil C and N storing capacity. However, the resulting higher ability to store P in both soil and standing plant biomass (approximately more than 70 and 15 kg P by ha, respectively) in the invasive than in the native tall grass communities suggesting the possibility of a decrease in the ecosystem N:P ratio with future consequences to below- and aboveground trophic chains. The results also showed that a future advance in the native mangrove replacement by Spartina alterniflora could constitute a serious environmental problem. This includes enrichment of sand in the soil, with the consequent loss of nutrient retention capacity, as well as a sharp decrease in the stocks of C (2.6 and 2.2 t C ha-1 in soil and stand biomass, respectively), N, and P in the plant-soil system. This should be associated with a worsening of the water quality by aggravating potential eutrophication processes. Moreover, the loss of carbon and nutrient decreases the potential overall fertility of the system, strongly hampering the reestablishment of woody mangrove communities in the future.

Development and Experimental Analysis of a Seeding Quantity Sensor for the Precision Seeding of Small Seeds.

Having the correct seeding rate for a unit area is vital to crop yields. In order to assess the desirable seeding rate, the number of discharged seeds needs to be monitored in real-time. However, for small seeds, the miscounting of seeds during monitoring happens frequently when using conventional seeding quantity sensors, which have wide light beam intervals. Thus, a seeding quantity sensor, which enables small seeds to pass through the light beam steadily, was developed. Based on the seed-shading time, a seed-counting algorithm was proposed. Moreover, the key structure parameters of the proposed sensor were ascertained using an optimization experiment. Finally, the developed seeding quantity sensor was tested against a photoelectric sensor and a fiber sensor to compare the seed monitoring accuracies. The results show that the average monitoring accuracy of the developed sensor, photoelectric sensor, and fiber sensor were 97.09%, 56.79%, and 91.10%, respectively. Furthermore, the factorial analysis shows that the forward velocity of the experimental apparatus and the rotational speed of the seeding plate did not significantly change the monitoring accuracies obtained by the developed sensor. Therefore, the developed sensor can be applied to monitor the seed quantity for the precision seeding of small seeds accurately and robustly.

Effects of social support on vision-related quality of life in older adults with dry eye disease: the chain mediating role of illness perception and coping style.

Objective: This study explored the effects of social support, illness perception, coping style, and vision-related quality of life (VRQOL) in older patients with dry eye disease (DED) using a chain mediation model. Methods: A total of 407 patients with DED from a tertiary hospital in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China, between June and December 2023 were selected as participants. A demographic questionnaire, the Social Support Rating Scale, the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, the Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire, and the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning questionnaire-25 were all given to them to complete. IBM SPSS (version 27.0) was used for data analysis, and Model 6 of the PROCESS Macro was used to test the predicted chain mediation model. Results: The positive association between social support and VRQOL demonstrated the mediation role of illness perception and coping style. Social support affected VRQOL via three pathways: illness perception (effect = 0.190), confrontational coping style (effect = 0.103), and a combination of illness perception and confrontational coping style (effect = 0.067), accounted for 23.60%, 12.80%, and 8.32% of the total effect, respectively. Conclusion: Social support in older patients with DED can significantly and positively predict the VRQOL. In addition to the independent mediating effect of illness perception and confrontational coping style, a chain-mediating effect exists between social support and VRQOL. The study serves as a valuable strategy for healthcare professionals to prevent and intervene in VRQOL for older patients with DED in the future.

FGL2 improves experimental colitis related to gut microbiota structure and bile acid metabolism by regulating macrophage autophagy and apoptosis.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a refractory disease with immune abnormalities and pathological changes. Intestinal macrophages are considered to be the main factor in establishing and maintaining intestinal homeostasis. The immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory activity of fibrinogen-like protein 2 (FGL2) can regulate macrophage polarization. However, its function in IBD is unclear. In this study, we explored the effect of FGL2 on macrophage polarization, autophagy, and apoptosis in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and further investigated changes in the intestinal barrier, flora, and bile acid in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-treated mice. Our results demonstrated that FGL2-/- weakened ERK signaling to promote M1 polarization and upregulate inflammation, autophagy, and apoptosis in LPS-stimulated BMDMs. rFGL2 treatment reversed these effects. FGL2-/- mice exhibited higher sensitivity to DSS exposure, with faster body weight loss, shorter colon lengths, and higher disease activity index (DAI) values. rFGL2 treatment protected against experimental ulcerative colitis (UC), restrained excessive autophagy, apoptosis, and improved gut barrier impairment. Gut microbiota structure and bile acid homeostasis were more unbalanced in FGL2-/- DSS mice than in wild-type (WT) DSS mice. rFGL2 treatment improved gut microbiota structure and bile acid homeostasis. Altogether, our results established that FGL2 is a potential therapeutic target for IBD.

Network evolution of core symptoms after lung cancer thoracoscopic surgery:A dynamic network analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate relationships between various symptoms occurring 1-2 and 5-6 days following days after thoracoscopic surgery, to identify core symptoms, and to monitor changes in core symptoms over time following lung cancer thoracoscopic surgery. METHODS: We evaluated symptoms using the Anderson Symptom Scale (Chinese version) and the Lung Cancer-Specific Symptoms Template in 214 lung cancer patients hospitalized in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of a provincial hospital in Jiangsu Province from March 2023 to September 2023. Data was collected at 1-2 days and 5-6 days postoperatively. Symptom networks were constructed for each time point, and centrality indicators were analyzed to identify core symptoms while controlling for influencing factors. RESULTS: According to the network analysis, fatigue (rs = 26.00、rc = 0.05、rb = 1.02) had the highest strength, closeness, and betweenness in the symptom network 1-2 days after lung cancer surgery. At 5-6 days after surgery, shortness of breath (rs = 27.00) emerged as the symptom with the highest strength, fatigue (rc = 0.04) had the highest closeness, and cough (rb = 1.08) ranked highest in betweenness within the symptom network. CONCLUSION: Fatigue stands out as the most core symptom in the network 1-2 days after lung cancer surgery. Shortness of breath, fatigue and cough are the most core symptoms in the symptom network 5-6 days after surgery. Therefore, clinical staff can improve the postoperative symptom experience of lung cancer patients by developing symptom management programmes tailored to these core symptoms.

Coal-based carbon nanosheets contained carbon microfibers modified with grown carbon nanotubes as efficient air electrode material for rechargeable zinc-air batteries.

Coal-based oxygen electrocatalysts hold immense promise for cost-effective applications in rechargeable Zn-air batteries (ZABs) and the value-added, clean utilization of traditional coal resources. Herein, an electrospun membrane electrode comprising coal-derived carbon nanosheets and directly grown carbon nanotubes (CNS/CMF@CNT) was successfully synthesized. The hierarchical porous structure of the electrode, composed of multiple components, significantly facilitates mass and ion transportation, resulting in exceptional electrochemical performance. Employing Fe as the catalyst for CNT growth, the CNS/CMF@CNT electrode exhibits a remarkable onset potential of 0.96 V and a half-wave potential of 0.87 V in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In-situ surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy reveals that hydroxyl radical desorption on the surface of CNS/CMF@CNT(Fe) is the rate-determining step of the ORR. Notably, the aqueous ZAB featuring the CNS/CMF@CNT(Fe) electrode achieved a peak power density of 216.0 mW cm-2 at a current density of 414 mA cm-2 and maintained a voltage efficiency of 65.1 % after 2000 charge/discharge cycles at 5 mA cm-2. Furthermore, the all-solid-state ZAB incorporating this electrode displayed an open-circuit voltage of 1.43 V, a peak power density of 70.1 mW cm-2 at a current density of 110 mA cm-2, and a voltage efficiency of 66.5 % after 150 charge/discharge cycles. The utilization of abundant coal as the raw material for electrode fabrication not only brings conceivable economic benefits in ZAB construction, but also commendably advances the effective application of traditional coal resources in a more sustainable manner.

Relationship between body composition and upper limb physical fitness among Chinese students: 4-Year longitudinal follow-up and experimental study.

Background: Recently, students' fitness has been declining, and high physical fitness level is crucial in establishing optimal physical/mental health and academic performance. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between body composition and upper limb physical fitness and the specific aspects of low physical fitness level in Chinese students. Exploring the development and impact factors for upper limb physical fitness can provide a theoretical basis for the health management strategy of students. Methods: Study 1 collected data from 183 male students over 4 years and used Hierarchical Linear Model (HLM) to explore the quadratic predictive role of body composition on upper limb physical fitness. To further explored which aspects of upper limb physical fitness were affected by body composition, study 2 conducted an experimental investigation among 42 male students, comparing different kinds of upper limb physical fitness within two different body composition groups. Results: Studies found (1) from 2015 to 2018, students' Body-Mass-Index (BMI) showed an upward trend, and BMI differences were significant from year to year. While the upper limb physical fitness showed a downward trend. There were significant differences in the number of pull-outs between 2015 and 2016, 2015 and 2017, and 2015 and 2018. (2) The quadratic term of BMI could predict the upper body physical fitness in the same year and the following year. That is, when BMI was medium, the upper body fitness of the same year and the following year was the best. (3) Chinese students with excellent body composition had greater grip strength, drape height and anaerobic power than those with average body composition. Conclusion: In recent years, male students' BMI has been increasing, and the upper body physical fitness has been decreasing. Furthermore, body composition can predict the upper body mass in the same year and the second year, and male students with better body composition also had greater grip strength, drape height and anaerobic power in their upper limbs.

Can Green Credit Policies Accelerate the Realization of the Dual Carbon Goal in China? Examination Based on an Endogenous Financial CGE Model.

Green credit is an indispensable funding source through which China can achieve its carbon neutrality goal. This paper quantifies the influences of different green credit scales on energy structures, carbon reduction, the industrial economy, and the macroeconomy. It creates a green credit mechanism related to green technology innovation in a Chinese carbon neutrality computable general equilibrium (CGE) model and integrates energy, environmental, economic, and financial (3EF) systems. The green credit scale can influence green technology innovation and hence CO2 emissions. The results show that (1) green credit can accelerate China's achievement of its carbon neutrality goal, and the larger the green credit scale, the less time it takes to achieve goals; (2) the influence of green credit scales confers marginal decreasing effects with realistic policy considerations; (3) using a cost-benefit perspective, 60% is the most appropriate green credit scale to use to achieve dual carbon goals in China; (4) the different green credit scales have a heterogeneous impact on the industry output, and high-carbon-emission producers from nonenergy industries need to pay attention to their green credit risk. This research provides a scientific reference for the policy design of China's future green financial market development.

Identification and functional characterization of a novel TRPA1 gene from sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus and interaction with miR-2013 in response to salt stress.

Salinity is important abiotic factor influencing sea cucumber aquaculture. This study aimed to identify and functional study of a novel transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily A member 1 (TRPA1) involved in salinity stress through interaction with miR-2013 in the sea cucumber. The full-length cDNA sequence was 1369 bp in length and encoded 138 amino acids. The TRPA1 homolog protein was a hydrophilic protein without a signal peptide and was predicted to a spatial structure of seven helices and eight random coils and two major ANK functional domains. Bioinformatic analysis and luciferase reporter assays confirmed TRPA1 as a target gene of miR-2013. Quantitative PCR revealed that miR-2013 was induced upregulation after salinity stress, while TRPA1 showed upregulated expression with maximum expression at 24 h. The expression of miR-2013 and TRPA1 was negatively regulated. Transfection experiments were conducted to validate the role of miR-2013 and TRPA1 in salinity response. The results showed that miR-2013 was upregulated and TRPA1 was downregulated after transfection with miR-2013 mimics, while miR-2013 was downregulated and TRPA1 was upregulated after transfection with miR-2013 inhibitor. Transfection with si-TRPA1 homolog resulted in upregulation of miR-2013 and downregulation of TRPA1 homolog. These findings suggest that miR-2013 can regulate the expression of TRPA1 under salt stress, and highlight the importance of miR-2013 and TRPA1 in salt stress response. miR-2013 mimics improved the survival rate, while miR-2013 inhibitor and si-TRPA1 reduced it. These findings suggest that miR-2013 and TRPA1 play important roles in sea cucumbers adaptation to salinity changes.

Epitranscriptomic investigation of myopia-associated RNA editing in the retina.

Myopia is one of the most common causes of vision loss globally and is significantly affected by epigenetics. Adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I RNA) editing is an epigenetic process involved in neurological disorders, yet its role in myopia remains undetermined. We performed a transcriptome-wide analysis of A-to-I RNA editing in the retina of form-deprivation myopia mice. Our study identified 91 A-to-I RNA editing sites in 84 genes associated with myopia. Notably, at least 27 (32.1%) of these genes with myopia-associated RNA editing showed existing evidence to be associated with myopia or related ocular phenotypes in humans or animal models, such as very low-density lipoprotein receptor (Vldlr) in retinal neovascularization and hypoxia-induced factor 1 alpha (Hif1a). Moreover, functional enrichment showed that RNA editing enriched in FDM was primarily involved in response to fungicides, a potentially druggable process for myopia prevention, and epigenetic regulation. In contrast, RNA editing enriched in controls was mostly involved in post-embryonic eye morphogenesis. Our results demonstrate altered A-to-I RNA editing associated with myopia in an experimental mouse model and warrant further study on its role in myopia development.

A complete gap-free diploid genome in Saccharum complex and the genomic footprints of evolution in the highly polyploid Saccharum genus.

A diploid genome in the Saccharum complex facilitates our understanding of evolution in the highly polyploid Saccharum genus. Here we have generated a complete, gap-free genome assembly of Erianthus rufipilus, a diploid species within the Saccharum complex. The complete assembly revealed that centromere satellite homogenization was accompanied by the insertions of Gypsy retrotransposons, which drove centromere diversification. An overall low rate of gene transcription was observed in the palaeo-duplicated chromosome EruChr05 similar to other grasses, which might be regulated by methylation patterns mediated by homologous 24 nt small RNAs, and potentially mediating the functions of many nucleotide-binding site genes. Sequencing data for 211 accessions in the Saccharum complex indicated that Saccharum probably originated in the trans-Himalayan region from a diploid ancestor (x = 10) around 1.9-2.5 million years ago. Our study provides new insights into the origin and evolution of Saccharum and accelerates translational research in cereal genetics and genomics.

The Pathway to China's Carbon Neutrality Based on an Endogenous Technology CGE Model.

Global warming resulting from greenhouse gas emissions has been a worldwide issue facing humanity. Simultaneously, governments have the challenging task of striking a judicious balance between increased economic growth and decreased carbon emissions. Based on the energy-environment-economy triple coupling (3E-CGE) model, we endogenously integrate climate-friendly technologies into the model's analysis framework through logic curves and refine and modify the CGE model's energy use and carbon emission modules. We conduct a scenario simulation and sensitivity analysis on carbon tax, carbon-trading, and climate-friendly technological progress, respectively. The results reveal that carbon tax and carbon trading contribute to reducing carbon emissions in the short-term but achieving the goals of peak carbon and carbon neutrality will cause the collapse of the economic system. In the long-term, climate-friendly technologies are key to achieving the dual carbon goal; the development of such technologies can also stimulate economic development. The best path for China to achieve its dual carbon goals and economic development in the next 40 years involves effectively combining the carbon tax, carbon trading, and a climate-friendly technological progress. Specifically, China can begin trading carbon in high-emissions industries then impose industry-wide carbon taxes.

Synergistic effect of carbon ETS and carbon tax under China's peak emission target: A dynamic CGE analysis.

Global warming resulting from greenhouse gas emissions poses threats to humankind and has become a worldwide issue. As the top CO2 emitter in the world, China has committed to achieving its carbon emission peak by no later than 2030; in this context, how to best use and apply carbon emission reduction policy is particularly critical. By constructing a dynamic computable general equilibrium (CGE) model, we first examine a pure ETS included only the electricity sector in 2021, and the eight sectors starting in 2022, considering a declining carbon intensity rate of 4.5% and a higher rate of 4.8%. With the carbon intensity rates of 4.3% and 4.5%, we further evaluate two-hybrid systems of the carbon tax and carbon ETS, where the carbon tax of 10 yuan per ton is the starting levied rate in 2022 and increases at 4 yuan per ton year by year. The results proved that hybrid emission reduction policy can help reach a carbon emissions peak before 2030 and do so at a lower economic cost compared to the effect of pure carbon ETS. Besides, the coordinated use of a carbon tax and a carbon ETS can promote optimization of energy consumption structures and accelerate the decline of energy intensity and carbon intensity; this can contribute to curbing the growth of total energy consumption and total carbon emissions.

An input-output structural decomposition analysis of changes in China's renewable energy consumption.

Governments actively encourage renewable energy use to deal with climate change and achieve carbon emission reduction targets. It is crucial to find out the driving factors that affect the utilization of renewable energy. Therefore, based on China's 2010-2016 input-output table, this paper uses the input-output model and structural decomposition analysis (SDA) to analyze the driving factors of renewable energy changes in the production end, household end, and the aggregate economy. The results show that the changes in the consumption structure (F) is the most crucial factor for renewable energy use, followed by technology progress (T) and final demand per capita (V). Sector SEHW (supply of electric power, heat power, and water) and MCRP (manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products) are the two vital sectors to achieve China's energy transition of the production level. However, as for households, the proportion of renewable energy has been declining. Hence, the government should promote renewable energy use and achieve the green transition in production and household levels.

VX765 alleviates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice by suppressing caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an autoimmune disease involving intestinal tissue. IBD activates a series of cell death pathways. Pyroptosis is recently identified as a critical cell death pathway in IBD associated with the activation of caspase-1. VX765 is a caspase-1 inhibitor that can be converted to VRT-043198 in vivo. This study was designed to explore the therapeutic effect of VX765 on colitis using a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model in mice. In this research, the caspase-1 inhibitor on inflammatory, pyroptosis, apoptosis, macrophage activation, and intestinal barrier were investigated. We found that administration of VX765 attenuated body weight loss, colonic shortening, and colonic pathological injury in mice. Our study also revealed a therapeutic effect of VX765 on colitis in a dose-dependent manner. VX765 inhibited pyroptosis by curbing the Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway and its downstream key inflammatory cytokines--IL-1ß and IL-18. These results indicated that VX765 might have a dose-dependent therapeutic effect on DSS-induced colitis in mice.

Genomic insights into the recent chromosome reduction of autopolyploid sugarcane Saccharum spontaneum.

Saccharum spontaneum is a founding Saccharum species and exhibits wide variation in ploidy levels. We have assembled a high-quality autopolyploid genome of S. spontaneum Np-X (2n = 4x = 40) into 40 pseudochromosomes across 10 homologous groups, that better elucidates recent chromosome reduction and polyploidization that occurred circa 1.5 million years ago (Mya). One paleo-duplicated chromosomal pair in Saccharum, NpChr5 and NpChr8, underwent fission followed by fusion accompanied by centromeric split around 0.80 Mya. We inferred that Np-X, with x = 10, most likely represents the ancestral karyotype, from which x = 9 and x = 8 evolved. Resequencing of 102 S. spontaneum accessions revealed that S. spontaneum originated in northern India from an x = 10 ancestor, which then radiated into four major groups across the Indian subcontinent, China, and Southeast Asia. Our study suggests new directions for accelerating sugarcane improvement and expands our knowledge of the evolution of autopolyploids.

Hedyotis diffusa plus Scutellaria barbata Suppress the Growth of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer via NLRP3/NF-κB/MAPK Signaling Pathways.

Hedyotis diffusa (HD) plus Scutellaria barbata (SB) have been widely used in antitumor clinical prescribes as one of herb pairs in China. We investigated the effect of aqueous extract from Hedyotis diffusa plus Scutellaria barbata at the equal weight ratio (HDSB11) in inhibiting the growth of murine non-small-cell lung cancer cell (NSCLC) line LLC in vivo and in vitro in this study. Compared with other aqueous extracts, HDSB11 showed the lowest IC50 in inhibiting cell proliferation at 0.43 mg/ml. Besides, HDSB11 effectively suppressed colony formation and induced cell apoptosis. The further assessment of HDSB11 on the murine Lewis-lung-carcinoma-bearing mouse model showed it significantly inhibited tumors' bioluminescence at the dose of 30 g crude drug/kg. Mechanistically, HDSB11 attenuated the expressions of NLRP3, procaspase-1, caspase-1, PRAP, Bcl-2, and cyclin D1 and downregulated the phosphorylation levels of NF-κB, ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK. In conclusion, HDSB11 could alleviate cell proliferation and colony formation and induce apoptosis in vitro and tumor growth in vivo, partly via NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways to suppress NLRP3 expression.