Spin-coating ANF based multilayer symmetric composite films for enhanced electromagnetic interference shielding and thermal management.

The demand for flexible composite films with electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding capabilities is rapidly increasing. Balancing high EMI performance with flexibility and portability has become a critical research focus in practical applications. In this study, an optimized strategy for aramid nanofibers (ANF) films was developed using spin-coating and sol-gel techniques. The resulting film features a smooth surface and excellent mechanical properties. ANF, initially an insulator, was transformed into a conductor through the in-situ polymerization of ion-doped polypyrrole (PPy). Leveraging a multilayer structural strategy, we prepared a symmetric composite film, ANF@PPy-(TA-MXene)-AgNWs-(TA-MXene)-ANF@PPy (PMA), using vacuum-assisted filtration and lamination hot pressing. This film, composed of ANF@PPy (PA) as the matrix, tannic acid (TA) modified MXene, and silver nanowires (AgNWs) as fillers, exhibited multiple shielding mechanisms as electromagnetic wave (EMW) passed through its various layers. This multilayer configuration provides significant flexibility in EMW shielding. Moreover, TA-modified MXene expands the lamellar spacing, enhancing the scattering efficiency of EMWs within the film, and serves as a medium connecting the upper and lower layers. This results in the efficient integration of the multilayer structure, synergistically improving both EMI shielding performance and mechanical properties. When the ratio of PA/MXene/AgNWs was 1:3:1, the film demonstrated optimal properties, including an EMI shielding effectiveness of 70.2 dB, thermal conductivity of 4.62 W/(m•K), and tensile strength of 50.2 MPa. Due to the exceptional EMI shielding and thermal properties of the PMA composite film, it holds great potential for applications in artificial intelligence, wearable heaters, and military equipment.

Comparison of the EQ-5D-Y and the CHU-9D instruments in a general child population based on self-reports and proxy-reports.

OBJECTIVE: This study utilized the EQ-5D-Y and the Child Health Utility 9D (CHU-9D) instruments to empirically investigate a general child population aged 7-8 years in China, with the aim of assessing and comparing the performance, correlation, and agreement between these two instruments. Both self-reported and proxy-reported versions of the instruments were considered in the analysis. METHODS: Data were collected from 7-8-year-old students in the second grade from four schools in Guangxi and Guiyang provinces, China. Children and their proxies independently completed their respective versions of the questionnaires, including the EQ-5D-Y, the CHU-9D, and other socio-demographic information. The psychometric properties of the EQ-5D-Y and the CHU-9D were assessed, including ceiling effects, internal consistency, and known-group validity. Spearman's correlation coefficient, Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), and Bland-Altman plots were calculated and plotted to assess the correlation and agreement between the EQ-5D-Y and CHU-9D. RESULTS: A total of 369 pairs of valid questionnaires were collected from both children and proxies. Due to the study's focus on a general child population, both EQ-5D-Y and CHU-9D yielded high utility values, with a significant ceiling effect observed, particularly in the EQ-5D-Y proxy-reported results. Compared to the EQ-5D-Y, the CHU-9D demonstrated a higher Cronbach's alpha coefficient and better internal consistency. Both instruments also demonstrated known-group validity, distinguishing different health status groups, except for EQ-5D-Y proxy-reported results. Spearman's correlation coefficient indicated some correlations in similar dimensions and utility values between the EQ-5D-Y and CHU-9D. The ICC of the EQ-5D-Y and CHU-9D utility values was 0.290 for self-reports and 0.383 for proxy-reports, indicating poor agreement between the two instruments. The Bland-Altman plots showed that the mean utility values obtained from EQ-5D-Y were significantly higher than those from CHU-9D. CONCLUSION: The EQ-5D-Y and the CHU-9D demonstrated acceptable performance within the general child population aged 7-8 years in China, except for the EQ-5D-Y proxy-reported version. It suffered from a notable ceiling effect, poor internal consistency, as well as weak known-group validity and discriminative ability. Moreover, although there existed a certain degree of correlation between the EQ-5D-Y and CHU-9D, their utility values exhibited significant differences. Therefore, these instruments are not interchangeable in practice.

Prediction Model of Spontaneous Combustion of Lignite in Zhalainuoer Mining Area.

A programmed temperature-increase experiment was conducted on coal samples from four coal mines in the Zhalainuoer mining area to improve the accuracy of predicting and forecasting lignite spontaneous combustion. The gases produced during the coal tests were analyzed, and logistic, exponential, Boltzmann, and fourth-degree polynomial functions were selected to develop predictive models for the gas data. Additionally, the Boltzmann function was used to predict the occurrence of fire. The results revealed that the initial appearance temperature of CO was approximately 50 °C, and it exhibited an exponential growth trend with increasing temperature. The initial appearance temperature of C2H4 was approximately 140 °C, which could serve as an indicator of coal entering the accelerated oxidation stage. Applying the selection principle to gas indicators, CO and C2H4 were identified as single gas indicators for lignite spontaneous combustion in the Zhalainuoer mining area, whereas CO/CO2 and C2H4/C2H6 were identified as composite gas indicators. Among the four functions, the Boltzmann function model exhibited the best fitting effect for CO and CO/CO2 within the temperature range of 0-200 °C. The values of the four parameters (A 1, A 2, dx, and x 0) were determined based on their statistical characteristics, and a functional equation describing the relationship between gas concentration and coal temperature was derived. This indicates that the Boltzmann function model can be effectively used to predict the spontaneous combustion of lignite in the Zhalainuoer mining area.

Long noncoding RNA MEG8 induces an imbalance of Th17/Treg cells through the miR-107/STAT3 axis in Henoch-Schonlein purpura rats.

T-helper (Th) 17/ T-regulatory (Treg) cell dysregulation underlies the pathogenesis of Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP). This research focused on the implication/s of the long noncoding RNA (lncRNAs) maternally expressed gene 8 (MEG8) in Th17 and Treg cell differentiation in HSP rats. MEG8, miR-107, signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3), receptor-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt), and the transcription factor forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) expression levels were detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses. Flow cytometry was employed for measuring Th17 and Treg cells within the CD4+ T cell population. The interaction between miR-107 and MEG8 or STAT3 was examined. A low proportion of MEG8 and Treg cells together with Th17 cells were denoted within HSP rats. Moreover, MEG8 overexpression altered the Th17/Treg imbalance in peripheral blood CD4+ T-cell population, and the miR-107 mimic and STAT3 silencing reversed this effect. Thus, MEG8 served as a sponge for miR-107, lowering binding activity to STAT3 and thus overexpressing the molecule. Taken together, MEG8 induces an imbalance of Th17/Treg cells through the miR-107/STAT3 axis in HSP rats.

Calcium-Sensitive Receptors Alters Intestinal Microbiota Metabolites Especially SCFAs and Ameliorates Intestinal Barrier Damage in Neonatal Rat Endotoxemia.

Purpose: The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) acts as a major modulator of tissue responses related to calcium homeostasis and expresses highly in the mammalian intestine. Endotoxemia tends to impair intestinal barrier function and poses significant obstacles in clinical treatment. This work is designed to decipher whether CaSR can protect lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction in neonatal rats by targeting intestinal metabolites. Patient and Methods: In this study, we utilized gas chromatography (GC) combined with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to quantitatively analyze SCFAs and metabolites in fecal samples of 24 neonatal rats with LPS induced endotoxemia. Results: Our results showed that CaSR alleviated endotoxin damage to the intestinal tight junction structure and upregulated the levels of butyric acid, propionic acid, valeric acid, and isovaleric acid in short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Non-targeted metabolomics analysis indicated that CaSR improved intestinal metabolic disorders by regulating glycerophospholipid metabolism, α-linolenic acid metabolism, as well as sphingolipids metabolism. Conclusion: CaSR can alter intestinal microbiota metabolites, especially SCFAs, and improve intestinal barrier damage in neonatal rat endotoxemia.

A general catalytic synthetic strategy for highly strained methylenecyclobutanes and spiromethylenecyclobutanes.

Highly strained methylenecyclobutanes (MCBs) are intriguing scaffolds in synthetic chemistry and drug discovery, but there is no such strategy that enables the synthesis of structurally diverse MCBs with defined stereochemistry. We report a general synthetic strategy for (boromethylene)cyclobutanes (BMCBs) and spiro-BMCBs by a challenging Cu-catalyzed highly chemo-, stereo-, and regioselective borylative cyclization of aliphatic alkynes. This strategy not only enables the installation of various functionalities at each site on the MCB skeleton with unambiguous stereochemistry but also introduces a versatile boromethylene unit that is readily transformable to a wide range of new functional groups; these features significantly expand the structural diversity of MCBs and are particularly valuable in drug discovery. The concise and divergent total syntheses of four cyclobutane-containing natural products were achieved from one common BMCB obtained by this strategy. The origin of the high regioselectivity in the borylcupration of alkynes and the high efficiency of the strained ring cyclization was also studied.

Muricauda okinawensis sp. Nov. and Muricauda yonaguniensis sp. Nov., Two Marine Bacteria Isolated from the Sediment Core near Hydrothermal Fields of Southern Okinawa Trough.

Two strains, 81s02T and 334s03T, were isolated from the sediment core near the hydrothermal field of southern Okinawa Trough. The cells of both strains were observed to be rod-shaped, non-gliding, Gram-staining negative, yellow-pigmented, facultatively anaerobic, catalase and oxidase positive, and showing optimum growth at 30 °C and pH 7.5. The strains 81s02T and 334s03T were able to tolerate up to 10% and 9% (w/v) NaCl concentration, respectively. Based on phylogenomic analysis, the average nucleotide identity (ANI) and the digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between the two strains and the nearest phylogenetic neighbors of the genus Muricauda were in range of 78.0-86.3% and 21.5-33.9%, respectively. The strains 81s02T and 334s03T shared 98.1% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to each other but were identified as two distinct species based on 81.4-81.5% ANIb, 85.5-85.6% ANIm and 25.4% dDDH values calculated using whole genome sequences. The strains 81s02T and 334s03T shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to M. lutimaris SMK-108T (98.7%) and M. aurea BC31-1-A7T (98.8%), respectively. The major fatty acid of strains 81s02T and 334s03T were identified similarly as iso-C15:0, iso-C17:0 3-OH and iso-C15:1 G, and the major polar lipids of the both strains consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine and two unidentified lipids. The strains contained MK-6 as their predominant menaquinone. The genomic G+C contents of strains 81s02T and 334s03T were determined to be 41.6 and 41.9 mol%, respectively. Based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic characteristics, both strains are considered to represent two novel species of the genus Muricauda, and the names Muricauda okinawensis sp. nov. and Muricauda yonaguniensis sp. nov. are proposed for strains 81s02T (=KCTC 92889T = MCCC 1K08502T) and 334s03T (=KCTC 92890T = MCCC 1K08503T).

A Novel Extract From Ginkgo biloba Inhibits Neuroinflammation and Maintains White Matter Integrity in Experimental Stroke.

Ginkgo biloba L. leaf extract (GBE) has been added in many commercial herbal formulations such as EGb 761 and Shuxuening Injection to treat cardiovascular diseases and stroke worldwide. However, the comprehensive effects of GBE on cerebral ischemia remained unclear. Using a novel GBE (nGBE), which consists of all the compounds of traditional (t)GBE and one new compound, pinitol, we investigated its effect on inflammation, white matter integrity, and long-term neurological function in an experimental stroke model. Both transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and distal MCAO were conducted in male C57/BL6 mice. We found that nGBE significantly reduced infarct volume at 1, 3, and 14 days after ischemia. Sensorimotor and cognitive functions were superior in nGBE treated mice after MCAO. nGBE inhibited the release of IL-1ß in the brain, promoted microglial ramification, and regulated the microglial M1 to M2 phenotype shift at 7 days post injury. In vitro analyses showed that nGBE treatment reduced the production of IL-1ß and TNFα in primary microglia. Administration of nGBE also decreased the SMI-32/MBP ratio and enhanced myelin integrity, thus exhibiting improved white matter integrity at 28 days post stroke. These findings demonstrate that nGBE protects against cerebral ischemia by inhibiting microglia-related inflammation and promoting white matter repair, suggesting that nGBE is a promising therapeutic strategy for long-term recovery after stroke.

Impact of Pulse Parameters of a DC Power Generator on the Microstructural and Mechanical Properties of Sputtered AlN Film with In-Situ OES Data Analysis.

In the present study, the sputtered aluminum nitride (AlN) films were processed in a reactive pulsed DC magnetron system. We applied a total of 15 different design of experiments (DOEs) on DC pulsed parameters (reverse voltage, pulse frequency, and duty cycle) with Box-Behnken experimental method and response surface method (RSM) to establish a mathematical model by experimental data for interpreting the relationship between independent and response variables. For the characterization of AlN films on the crystal quality, microstructure, thickness, and surface roughness, X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) were utilized. AlN films have different microstructures and surface roughness under different pulse parameters. In addition, in-situ optical emission spectroscopy (OES) was employed to monitor the plasma in real-time, and its data were analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA) for dimensionality reduction and data preprocessing. Through the CatBoost modeling and analysis, we predicted results from XRD in full width at half maximum (FWHM) and SEM in grain size. This investigation identified the optimal pulse parameters for producing high-quality AlN films as a reverse voltage of 50 V, a pulse frequency of 250 kHz, and a duty cycle of 80.6061%. Additionally, a predictive CatBoost model for obtaining film FWHM and grain size was successfully trained.

Surface grafting of sericin onto thermoplastic polyurethanes to improve cell adhesion and function.

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) membrane has super physical-mechanical properties and biocompatibility, but the surface is inert and lack of active groups which limit its application in cell culture. Silk sericin (SS) can improve cell adhesion, proliferation, growth and metabolism. In this paper, SS was grafted onto the surface of TPU membrane by -NH2 bridge to build a high efficiency cell culture membrane. The FT-IR spectrum results indicated SS was grafted by chemical bond. According to the SEM and AFM results, we found that the grafting of SS reduced the water contact angle by 43.31% and increased the surface roughness by about four times. When TPU-SS was used for HepG2 cell culture, the cell adhesion rate of TPU-SS was significantly higher than that of the general TCPS cell culture plate, and the cell proliferation rate was close to that of TCPS. FDA/EB staining showed that HepG2 cells remained a better cellular growth behavior. HepG2 cells had higher cell vitality including the albumin secretion and the intracellular total protein synthesis. Grafting SS maintained the stability of cell and significantly decreased the cytotoxicity by decreased LDH release. In conclusion, SS grafting is beneficial to cell culture in vitro, and provides a key material for bioartificial liver culture system.

Construction of α-Fe2O3/Sulfur-Doped Polyimide Direct Z-Scheme Photocatalyst with Enhanced Solar Light Photocatalytic Activity.

A novel two-dimensional α-Fe2O3/sulfur-doped polyimide (FO/SPI) direct Z-scheme photocatalyst was successfully constructed by a facile thermal treatment method. The effects of α-Fe2O3 nanosheets on the morphology, chemical structure, and photoelectronic properties of FO/SPI composites were systematically characterized by different spectroscopic means. These methods include X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transient fluorescence spectra, and so forth. It was confirmed that the small amounts of α-Fe2O3 can availably facilitate exfoliation of bulk SPI, resulting in a transformation of SPI from bulk to 2D layered composite that illustrates tight interface through the coordination Fe-N bond and an all-solid-state direct Z-scheme junction. Thus, the transfer and separation efficiency of photogenerated electron/hole pairs were significantly enhanced, which greatly promoted improvement of the photocatalytic activity of the FO/SPI composite for methyl orange degradation under solar light. This work provides a new approach to constructing efficient inorganic-organic Z-scheme photocatalyst based on strong interface interaction.

IKKα contributes to ischemia-induced autophagy after acute cerebral ischemic injury.

Background: The function of IκB kinase α (IKKα) in the brain is largely unknown. This study examined the effects of IKKα on autophagy after cerebral ischemia. Methods: Permanent distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (dMCAO) was conducted in C57/BL6 mice. Oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) was performed to mimic ischemia injury in neuro-2A (N2A) cells in vitro. Autophagy activation was assessed by detecting the ratio of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3ß (LC3B)-II/LC3B-I and Cyto-ID autophagic fluorescence. The infarct volume was verified by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Neurological functions were evaluated using the modified Garcia test. Cell death after dMCAO was confirmed with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. To determine the role of IKKα, small interfering RNA (siRNA) was transfected into N2A cells or injected intracerebroventricularly. Results: IKKα and LC3B II/I expression levels were increased both in OGD/R treated N2A cells and dMCAO mice. Under the same conditions, IKKß expression was not altered. IKKα siRNA significantly decreased the infarct volume and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) related to brain edema, and promoted the neurological outcomes after dMCAO. Furthermore, inhibition of IKKα attenuated ischemia- induced the conversion of LC3B I to LC3B II both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, IKKα siRNA alleviated the formation of autophagic vacuoles and LC3 positive puncta after cerebral ischemia. Conclusions: These findings indicate that IKKα, but not IKKß, plays a critical role in ischemia-induced autophagy. Inhibition of IKKα protects the brain from ischemia injury and this may have potential benefits in stroke therapy.

Ornithinimicrobium laminariae sp. nov., isolated from the kelp Laminaria japonica.

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-sporulating, yellow-pigmented and rod or cocci-shaped bacterium, designated Arc0846-15T, was isolated from the kelp Laminaria japonica. Strain Arc0846-15T was found to grow at 16-35 °C (optimum, 28 °C), at pH 6.0-9.5 (optimum, 7.0) and in the presence of 0-6 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2 %). Cells were positive for catalase and negative for oxidase activity. Phylogenetic analyses, based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons, revealed that the nearest phylogenetic neighbour strains of strain Arc0846-15T were Ornithinimicrobium murale 01 Gi-040T (96.2 %), Ornithinimicrobium kibberense K22-20T (96.1 %) and Ornithinimicrobium humiphilum HKI 0124T (95.2 %). Based on phylogenomic analysis, the average nucleotide identity values between strain Arc0846-15T and the neighbour strains were 69.8, 69.7 and 69.8 %, respectively; the digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain Arc0846-15T and its three closest neighbour strains were 18.8, 19.1 and 19.3 %, respectively. The predominant menaquinone was MK-8 (H4). The dominant cellular fatty acids were C17 : 1 ω8c, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and C17 : 0. The polar lipids contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, glycolipid, one unidentified aminolipid and four unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain Arc0846-15T was 61.6 mol% based on the whole genome sequence. Based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic characteristics, strain Arc0846-15T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Ornithinimicrobium, for which the name Ornithinimicrobium laminariae sp. nov. is proposed, with Arc0846-15T (=KCTC 49655T=MCCC 1K06093T) as the type strain.

Shewanella nanhaiensis sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from sediment of South China Sea, and emended descriptions of Shewanella woodyi, Shewanella hanedai and Shewanella canadensis.

A Gram-stain-negative, motile, facultative anaerobic and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain NR704-98T, was isolated from marine sediment of the northern South China Sea. Cells were positive for oxidase and catalase activity. Growth was observed at 4-30 °C (optimum 20-25 °C), at pH 6-9 (pH 7) and with 0.5-7 % NaCl (2 %). The 16S rRNA gene-based phylogenetic analysis revealed that the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of strain NR704-98T were Shewanella woodyi MS32T (97.9 %), Shewanella hanedai 281T (97.1 %), Shewanella sediminis HAW-EB3T (96.8 %) and Shewanella canadensis HAW-EB2T (96.7 %). Based on the results of phylogenomic analysis, the average nucleotide identity and the digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain NR704-98T and the previously mentioned type strains of species of the genus Shewanella were in the range of 74.9-93.1 % and 20.6-51.4 %, respectively. The respiratory quinones were Q-7 and Q-8. The predominant fatty acids (>10 %) of strain NR704-98T were C16 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c) and iso-C15 : 0. Phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified aminophospholipids and five unidentified lipids were detected in strain NR704-98T. Based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic characteristics, strain NR704-98T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Shewanella, for which the name Shewanella nanhaiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NR704-98T (=KCTC 82799T=MCCC 1K06091T).

LncRNA MEG8 sponging miR-181a-5p contributes to M1 macrophage polarization by regulating SHP2 expression in Henoch-Schonlein purpura rats.

BACKGROUND: Long noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs) are regulatory molecules that play important roles in various biological and pathological processes. Herein, we aimed to explore whether maternally expressed gene 8 (MEG8) promotes M1 macrophage polarization among Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) rats, and to investigate the underlying mechanism. METHODS: Relative mRNA expression of MEG8, miR-181a-5p and suppressor of SH2 domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP2) were examined using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, expression of SHP2 and the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) pathway-related proteins was identified using western blot. Luciferase activity assay was conducted to evaluate whether miR-181a-5p could bind to MEG8 or SHP2. The macrophage phenotype was determined using flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: We observed macrophage polarization towards the M2 phenotype in the peripheral blood of HSP rats. Furthermore, MEG8 and SHP2 expression were down-regulated, while miR-181a-5p was up-regulated in monocyte-derived macrophages from the HSP rats compared to the control group. Furthermore, MEG8 functioned as a sponge for miR-181a-5p in order to facilitate SHP2 expression. Moreover, miR-181a-5p mimic and SHP2 knockdown significantly reversed the MEG8 overexpression-mediated suppression of JAK2/STAT3 signalling, and promotion of M1 polarization. CONCLUSIONS: The lncRNA MEG8 sponged miR-181a-5p, which contributes to M1 macrophage polarization by regulating SHP2 expression in HSP rats.Key MessagesLncRNA MEG8 downregulation and M2 polarization in Henoch Schonlein purpura rats.MEG8 upregulation enhances M1 polarization and suppresses JAK2/STAT3 pathway.MEG8 sponges miRNA-181a-5p to regulate SHP2 expression.MiRNA-181a-5p upregulation reverses lncRNA MEG8-mediated enhancement of M1 polarization and inhibition of JAK2/STAT3 pathway.SHP2 downregulation reverses lncRNA MEG8-mediated enhancement of M1 polarization and inhibition of JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

Transfection of STAT3 overexpression plasmid mediated through recombinant lentivirus promotes differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into neural cells in fetal rats with spina bifida aperta.

We investigated the influence of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) on the spinal cord tissue grafts of rat fetuses with spina bifida aperta. In particular, we hoped to identify whether transfection of the STAT3 overexpression plasmid increases the survival of spinal cord transplantation in order to improve therapeutic efficacy. The fetal rat model of spina bifida aperta was established using retinoic acid and treated with a microsurgical injection of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). The animals were divided into either the blank control group, negative control group or the experimental group. The optical density (OD) value of BMSCs viability was determined using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). The expression of STAT3, phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3), neural markers and apoptosis-related factors were evaluated using real-time PCR and Western blot. The OD value in the experimental group was highest at eight hours after transplantation using CCK-8. The expression of pSTAT3, glial fibrillary acidic protein, neuron-specific enolase, neurofilament and nestin in the experimental group was significantly higher compared to the blank control group and negative control group (P<0.05). However, STAT3 expression in the experimental group was statistically significantly decreased (P<0.05). The relative expression of caspase-8 and bcl-2 in the experimental group were significantly lower compared to the blank control group and negative control group (P<0.05). Transfection of the recombinant lentivirus-mediated STAT3 overexpression plasmid with BMSCs can help improve the efficiency of transforming into neural cells and provide new seed cells for the treatment of congenital spina bifida aperta.

The Mechanism of Microbial-Ferromanganese Nodule Interaction and the Contribution of Biomineralization to the Formation of Oceanic Ferromanganese Nodules.

Ferromanganese nodules are an important mineral resource in the seafloor; however, the genetic mechanism is still unknown. The biomineralization of microorganisms appears to promote ferromanganese nodule formation. To investigate the possible mechanism of microbial-ferromanganese nodule interaction, to test the possibility of marine microorganisms as deposition template for ferromanganese nodules minerals, the interactions between Jeotgalibacillus campisalis strain CW126-A03 and ferromanganese nodules were studied. The results showed that strain CW126-A03 increased ion concentrations of Fe, Mn, and other metal elements in solutions at first. Then, metal ions were accumulated on the cells' surface and formed ultra-micro sized mineral particles, even crystalline minerals. Strain CW126-A03 appeared to release major elements in ferromanganese nodules, and the cell surface may be a nucleation site for mineral precipitation. This finding highlights the potentially important role of biologically induced mineralization (BIM) in ferromanganese nodule formation. This BIM hypothesis provides another perspective for understanding ferromanganese nodules' genetic mechanism, indicating the potential of microorganisms in nodule formation.

Ruegeria haliotis sp. nov., Isolated from the Gut of the Abalone Haliotis rubra.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, white-pigmented, short rod-shaped, and alginate-degrading bacterium, designated B1Z28T, was isolated from the gut of the abalone Haliotis rubra obtained at Weihai, China. Strain B1Z28T was found to grow at 4-35 °C, pH 6.5-9.0, and in the presence of 0.5-8.0% (w/v) NaCl. Cells were positive for oxidase and catalase activity. The 16S rRNA-based phylogenetic analysis revealed that the nearest phylogenetic neighbors of strain B1Z28T were Tritonibacter scottomollicae MCCC 1A06440T (98.1%), Ruegeria faecimaris KCTC 23044T (98.0%), and Ruegeria meonggei KCTC 32450T (97.8%). Based on phylogenomic analysis, the average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between strain B1Z28T and the neighbor strains were 71.6, 77.2, and 78.1%, respectively; the digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values based on the draft genomes between strain B1Z28T and its closest neighbors were 20.5, 20.8, and 21.6%, respectively. Ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) was detected as the predominant respiratory quinone. The dominant cellular fatty acids were Summed feature 8 (contained C18:1 ω7c and/or C18:1 ω6c). The polar lipids included phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phospholipid (PL), aminolipid (AL), and three unidentified lipids. Based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic characteristics, strain B1Z28T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Ruegeria, for which the name Ruegeria haliotis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B1Z28T (= KCTC 72686T = MCCC 1H00393T).

Tamlana haliotis sp. nov., isolated from the gut of the abalone Haliotis rubra.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, yellow-pigmented rod-shaped and alginate-degrading bacterium, designated B1N29T, was isolated from the gut of the abalone Haliotis rubra obtained in Weihai, China. Strain B1N29T was found to grow at 4-35 ℃ (optimum, 25 ℃), at pH 6.5-9.0 (optimum, 7.0-7.5) and in the presence of 0.5-9% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2%). Cells were positive for oxidase and catalase activity. The 16S rRNA-based phylogenetic analysis revealed that the nearest phylogenetic neighbors of strain B1N29T were Tamlana carrageenivorans KCTC 62451T (98.2%) and Tamlana agarivorans KCTC 22176T (97.7%). Based on the phylogenomic analysis, the average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between strain B1N29T and the neighbor strains were 79.2 and 79.0%, respectively; the digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between strain B1N29T and its two closest neighbors were 22.8 and 23.0%, respectively. Menaquinone-6 (MK-6) was detected as the sole respiratory quinone. The dominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C15:0, iso-C17:0 3-OH, anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C15:1 G. The polar lipids included phosphatidylethanolamine, one aminophospholipid, seven aminolipids and five unidentified lipids. Based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic characteristics, strain B1N29T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Tamlana, for which the name Tamlana haliotis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B1N29T (= KCTC 72683T = MCCC 1H00394T).

A comparison of self-reported and proxy-reported health utilities in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare differences in health utilities (HUs) assessed by self and proxy respondents in children, as well as to evaluate the effects of health conditions, valuation methods, and proxy types on the differences. METHODS: Eligible studies published in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library up to December 2019 were identified according to PRISMA guidelines. Meta-analyses were performed to calculate the weighted mean differences (WMDs) in HUs between proxy- versus self-reports. Mixed-effects meta-regressions were applied to explore differences in WMDs among each health condition, valuation method and proxy type. RESULTS: A total of 30 studies were finally included, comprising 211 pairs of HUs assessed by 15,294 children and 16,103 proxies. This study identified 34 health conditions, 10 valuation methods, and 3 proxy types. In general, proxy-reported HUs were significantly different from those assessed by children themselves, while the direction and magnitude of these differences were inconsistent regarding health conditions, valuation methods, and proxy types. Meta-regression demonstrated that WMDs were significantly different in patients with ear diseases relative to the general population; in those measured by EQ-5D, Health utility index 2 (HUI2), and Pediatric asthma health outcome measure relative to Visual analogue scale method; while were not significantly different in individuals adopting clinician-proxy and caregiver-proxy relative to parent-proxy. CONCLUSION: Divergence existed in HUs between self and proxy-reports. Our findings highlight the importance of selecting appropriate self and/or proxy-reported HUs in health-related quality of life measurement and economic evaluations.