fMRI signals in white matter rewire gray matter community organization.

Human brain gray matter (GM) has usually been clustered into multiple functional networks. The white matter (WM) fiber bundles are known to interconnect these networks simultaneously, engaging in numerous cognitive functions. However, the exact interconnections between GM and WM are still unclear, whether functional signals in WM rewires GM community organization remains to be explored. In this study, we divided brain functional connections into three types by using edge-centric method, including intra-GM, intra-WM and GM-WM connections, and calculated the edge community evaluation indexes for quantifying GM community engagement. The results showed that the involvement of WM significantly enhanced community entropy in the heteromodal system, while the sensory-attention system remained barely changed. In addition, delta community entropy showed a significant correlation with clinical cognitive scale. Our results suggested that WM rewired GM community organization, enhancing the community engagement of brain regions in the heteromodal system. This involvement was observed to be disrupted in disease groups. Our study revealed that considering the functional signals of GM and WM simultaneously could better understand the brain's functional organization.

A Lateral Flow Biosensor Based on Isothermal Amplification for Visual Identification of Species and Sex from Bloodstain.

The prompt species identification from biological samples at a crime scene can rapidly filter out truly valuable biometric information for subsequent personal identification. Meanwhile, early sex determination can assist in narrowing the pool of suspects. However, the current methods for forensic DNA analysis, particularly in point-of-care scenarios, are often limited by the intricate equipment for signal generation and the laborious procedure for DNA purification. The present study introduces a novel portable lateral flow biosensor that possesses extraction-free and anti-aerosol characteristics for on-site determination of species and sex. The bloodstain can be directly submitted to loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for the analysis of both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA. The incorporation of a lateral flow device with gold magnetic nanoparticle probes allows for visual interpretation of results through colorimetric signals while also preventing interference on result judgment from pigments such as hemoglobin. Carryover contamination, which is a disharmonious factor in LAMP, especially as the inherent contradiction derived from uncapping in the lateral flow strategy, has been effectively addressed through the integration of uracil DNA glycosylase without compromising the isothermy throughout the process. As a proof-of-concept experiment, species and sex can be accurately identified within 40 min from trace bloodstains amidst significant background interference by targeting cytochrome b and Y-chromosomal amelogenin. Furthermore, the single-blind study revealed a concordance rate of up to 100% in both simulative degraded and true dated bloodstains. This suggests that this biosensor has the potential to be utilized in forensic DNA analysis at crime scenes.

Evaluation of reverse transcription yield of RNA standards and forensic samples based on droplet digital PCR.

RNA analysis has shown great value in forensic science, such as body fluids and tissue identification, postmortem interval estimation, biological age prediction, etc. Currently, most RNA follow-up experiments involve reverse transcription (RT) procedures. It has been shown that the RT step is variable and has a greater impact on subsequent data analysis, especially for forensic trace samples. However, the pattern of variation between different RNA template inputs and complementary DNA (cDNA) yield is unclear. In this study, a series of 2-fold gradient dilutions of RNA standards (1 µg/µL - 0.24 ng/µL) and forensic samples (including blood samples, saliva samples, bloodstains, and saliva stains) were reverse-transcribed using EasyQuick RT MasterMix. The obtained cDNA was quantified by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) to assess the RT yield of the ACTB gene. The results showed that the 125 ng RNA template had the highest RT yield in a 10 µL RT reaction system with the selected kit. For all stain samples, the RT yield improved as the amount of RNA template input increased since RNA quantities were below 125 ng. As many commercialized reverse transcription kits using different kinds of enzymes are available for forensic RNA research, we recommend that systematic experiments should be performed in advance to determine the amount of RNA input at the optimum RT yield when using any kit for reverse transcription experiments.

Two dwarfing genes Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b show pleiotropic effects on grain protein content in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

KEY MESSAGE: Five QTL for wheat grain protein content were identified, and the effects of two dwarfing genes Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b on grain protein content were validated in multiple populations. Grain protein content (GPC) plays an important role in wheat quality. Here, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cross between Yangmai 12 (YM12) and Yanzhan 1 (YZ1) was used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for GPC. Two hundred and five RILs and their parents were grown in three years in randomized complete blocks each with two replications, and genotyped using the wheat 55 K SNP array. Five QTL were identified for GPC on chromosomes 1A, 1B, 2D, 4B, and 4D. Notably, QGpc.yaas-4B (co-located with Rht-B1) and QGpc.yaas-4D (co-located with Rht-D1) were consistently detected across all experiments and best linear unbiased estimating, accounting for 6.61-8.39% and 6.05-10.21% of the phenotypic variances, respectively. The effects of these two dwarfing alleles Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b on reducing GPC and plant height were validated in two additional RIL populations and one natural population. This study lays a foundation for further investigating the effects of dwarfing genes Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b on wheat GPC.

Rational control of the typical surface defects of hybrid perovskite using tetrahexylammonium iodide.

There are numerous defects existing on the surface and grain boundary of perovskite, which adversely affect the performance and stability of perovskite solar cell devices. Systematic first-principles calculations show that the I vacancy (VI), Pb vacancy (VPb), Pb-I antisite (PbI), and I-Pb antisite (IPb) defects can significantly affect the electronic properties of the surface of formamidinium lead triiodide (FAPbI3); in particular the VPb, PbI and IPb surface defects can introduce defect energy levels in the band gap. Tetrahexylammonium iodide (THAI) that is strongly adsorbed on the (1 0 0) surface of FAPbI3 by forming Pb-I coordination bonds and I⋯H hydrogen bonds could eliminate or reduce the defect states near the band edge or in the band gap by transferring electrons between THAI and the surface of FAPbI3. In particular, the defect states introduced by VPb could be completely eliminated after the adsorption of THAI. This study shows an in-depth understanding of the influence of defects on the electronic properties of the surface of FAPbI3, as well as the passivation mechanism of organic salts on the surface defects of perovskite.

Temporo-frontoparietal hypoconnectivity as a biomarker for isolated language impairment in mild cognitive impairment: A cross-cohort comparison.

INTRODUCTION: Whether brain functional connectivity (FC) is consistently disrupted in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) with isolated language impairment (ilMCI), and its potential to differentiate between MCI subtypes remains uncertain. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from 404 participants in two cohorts (the Chinese Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease Study and the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative) were analyzed, including neuropsychological tests, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), cerebral amyloid positivity, and apolipoprotein E (APOE) status. RESULTS: Temporo-frontoparietal FC, particularly between the bilateral superior temporal pole and the left inferior frontal/supramarginal gyri, was consistently decreased in ilMCI compared to amnestic MCI (aMCI) and normal controls, which was correlated with semantic impairment. Using mean temporo-frontoparietal FC as a classifier could improve accuracy in identifying ilMCI subgroups with positive cerebral amyloid deposition and APOE risk alleles. DISCUSSION: Temporal-frontoparietal hypoconnectivity was observed in individuals with ilMCI, which may reflect semantic impairment and serve as a valuable biomarker to indicate potential mechanisms of underlying neuropathology. HIGHLIGHTS: Temporo-frontoparietal hypoconnectivity was observed in impaired language mild cognitive impairment (ilMCI). Temporo-frontoparietal hypoconnectivity may reflect semantic impairment. Temporo-frontoparietal functional connectivity can classify ilMCI subtypes.

Recent Advances in Polysaccharides from Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nakai.: Extraction, Purification, Structural Characteristics, Health Benefits, and Applications.

This article systematically reviews the extraction and purification methods, structural characteristics, structure-activity relationship, and health benefits of C. speciosa polysaccharides, and their potential application in food, medicine, functional products, and feed, in order to provide a useful reference for future research. Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nakai. has attracted the attention of health consumers and medical researchers as a traditional Chinese medicine with edible, medicinal, and nutritional benefits. According to this study, C. speciosa polysaccharides have significant health benefits, such as anti-diaetic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, anti-tumor, and immunomodulatory effects. Researchers determined the molecular weight, structural characteristics, and monosaccharide composition and ratio of C. speciosa polysaccharides by water extraction and alcohol precipitation. This study will lay a solid foundation for further optimization of the extraction process of C. speciosa polysaccharides and the development of their products. As an active ingredient with high value, C. speciosa polysaccharides are worthy of further study and full development. C. speciosa polysaccharides should be further explored in the future, to innovate their extraction methods, enrich their types and biological activities, and lay a solid foundation for further research and development of products containing polysaccharides that are beneficial to the human body.

The Latest Research Progress on Cell-Free DNA and Prospects of Its Forensic Application.

In recent years, with the continuous progress of DNA extraction and detection technology, cell-free DNA(cfDNA)has been widely used in the life science field, and its potential application value in forensic identification is becoming more and more obvious. This paper reviews the concept, formation mechanism, and classification of cfDNA, etc., and describes the latest research progress of cfDNA in personal identification of crime scene touch DNA samples and non-invasive prenatal paternity testing (NIPPT). Meanwhile, this paper summarizes the potential application of cfDNA in injury inference, and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of common cfDNA analysis methods and techniques, and its application prospects, to provide a new idea for the wide application of cfDNA in the field of forensic science.

Relationship between Novel Anthropometric Indices and the Prevalence of Abdominal Aortic Calcification: A Large Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The relationship between novel anthropometric indices, specifically a body shape index (ABSI) and body roundness index (BRI), with abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) or severe AAC (SAAC) is unclear. The aim of our study was therefore to investigate possible relationships between novel anthropometric indices and prevalence of AAC and SAAC. Methods: We obtained U.S. general population data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2013 and 2014. The study used restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis, multivariable logistic regression modeling, subgroup analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve assessment. We investigated relationships between ABSI or BRI and AAC and SAAC risk. Associations between ABSI or BRI and the degree of AAC were also evaluated using a generalized additive model. Results: The study cohort was comprised of 1062 individuals. The RCS plots revealed a U-shaped curve associating ABSI with AAC risk. A similar trend emerged for SAAC, where the risk initially increased before subsequently decreasing with rising ABSI levels. Additionally, BRI exhibited a positive correlation with both AAC and SAAC risk. As ABSI and BRI values increased, the degree of AAC also increased. In ROC analysis, ABSI displayed a significantly larger area under the curve compared to BRI. Conclusions: ABSI is associated with AAC prevalence following a U-shaped curve. Additionally, BRI is positively correlated with AAC risk. ABSI demonstrates a superior discriminative ability for AAC compared to BRI. Therefore, maintaining an appropriate ABSI and BRI may reduce the prevalence of AAC.

Mixed pesticide recognition based on three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy and a convolutional neural network.

Kasugamycin, spinosad, and lambda-cyhalothrin are common organic pesticides that are widely used to control and prevent diseases and pests in fruits and vegetables. However, the unreasonable use of pesticides will cause great harm to the natural environment and human health. Pesticides often exist in the form of mixtures in nature. Establishing recognition models for mixed pesticides in large-scale sample testing can provide guidance for further precise analysis and reduce resource waste and time. Therefore, finding a fast and effective identification method for mixed pesticides is of great significance. This paper applies three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy to detect mixed pesticides and introduces a convolutional neural network (CNN) model structure based on an improved LeNet-5 to classify mixed pesticides. The input part of the model corresponds to fluorescence spectrum data at excitation wavelengths of 250-306 nm and emission wavelengths of 300-450 nm, and the mixed pesticides are divided into three categories. The research results show that when the learning rate is set to 1 and the number of iterations is 300, the CNN classification model has ideal performance (with a recognition accuracy of 100%) and is superior to the performance of the support vector machine method. This paper provides a certain methodological basis for the rapid identification of mixed pesticides.

The relationship between the microclimate and efflorescence of revealed mural paintings and the later protection strategy.

Throughout history, there were many fine mural paintings concealed within ancient buildings, hidden beneath layers of plaster, wall or other structure. In recent decades, research and practical efforts had primarily focused on nondestructive diagnosis of these hidden murals and the removal of their surface coverings. However, limited attention had been given to the consequences of overlay removal on mural preservation. This study aims to address this gap by examining the revealed mural paintings in the Prince Shi's Palace as a case study, employing an analysis of mural ontology, investigation into the preservation environment, and simulation experiments to comprehensively analyze the factors contributing to the rapid deterioration of these revealed murals. The findings indicated that certain carbonated lime particles adhered to the mural surface, and in a humid environment, these particles absorbed sulfur dioxide from the atmosphere and converted into calcium sulfate. The strong hygroscopic property of calcium sulfate enhanced the humidity on the surface of murals, thereby increasing their susceptibility to sulfur dioxide absorption. Over time, the murals suffered more sulphate and moisture damage. Additionally, historically inaccurate interventions such as non-breathable shading curtains installation and organic coatings reinforcement exacerbated this deterioration process. Therefore, safeguarding the integrity of these exposed concealed murals necessitated prioritizing the preservation of environmental humidity and acid gas levels.

Effects of hazard type and confidence level on hazard perception in young male drivers: an ERP study.

Hazard perception refers to a driver's ability to identify potential hazards on the road. Although studies have shown that overconfidence affects drivers' ability to perceive hazards, the neural processing of hazard perception in overconfident drivers under different hazard types has rarely been investigated. A mixed experimental design of 2 (hazard type: hazards, no hazards) × 2 (driver group: overconfident driver, control group) was used. A total of 120 images (60 with hazards and 60 without hazards) were presented to 25 overconfident drivers and 25 drivers in the control group. Reaction time, response accuracy, P200 (200-250 ms), and N2 (280-330 ms) components were measured via event-related potential (ERP) technology. Response times of overconfident drivers are slower than those of the control group regardless of hazard types. The P200 latency of overconfident drivers was longer than that of their peers in hazard situations, while the P200 latency was similar between the two groups in no-hazard situations. Although a significant interaction was found on the N2 amplitude, no significant differences were found between the two groups in both hazard and no-hazard situations. Overconfident drivers have worse hazard perception performance in hazard situations with slower reaction times and greater P200 latencies than their peers. More importantly, P200 amplitude and N2 amplitude are sensitive to hazard types, while P200 amplitude and N2 latency can discriminate between driver groups. The findings help understand the negative impact of overconfidence on young drivers and contribute to the development and training of hazard perception tests.

Effect of salinity on the physiological response and transcriptome of spotted seabass (Lateolabrax maculatus).

Salinity fluctuations significantly impact the reproduction, growth, development, as well as physiological and metabolic activities of fish. To explore the osmoregulation mechanism of aquatic organisms acclimating to salinity stress, the physiological and transcriptomic characteristics of spotted seabass (Lateolabrax maculatus) in response to varying salinity gradients were investigated. In this study, different salinity stress exerted inhibitory effects on lipase activity, while the impact on amylase activity was not statistically significant. Notably, a moderate increase in salinity (24 psu) demonstrated the potential to enhance the efficient utilization of proteins by spotted seabass. Both Na+/K+-ATPase and malondialdehyde showed a fluctuating trend of increasing and then decreasing, peaking at 72 h. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that most differentially expressed genes were involved in energy metabolism, signal transduction, the immune response, and osmoregulation. These results will provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of salinity adaptation and contribute to sustainable development of the global aquaculture industry.

Evaluation of fetal cardiac morphology and function by fetal heart quantification technique in the normal second and third trimesters.

Background: The study of fetal heart is receiving increasing attention. Fetal heart quantification (Fetal HQ) technology is a new speckle tracking technology that can analyze the 24-segment morphology and function of fetal ventricles. This study aims to use Fetal HQ to assess the changes in the structure and function of the fetal heart in normal mid to late pregnancy, providing a foundation for the clinical application of fetal cardiac speckle tracking technology. Methods: The heart size, global sphericity index (GSI), left ventricular [stroke volume (SV)], cardiac output (CO), ejection fraction (EF), global longitudinal strain (GLS), fractional area change (FAC), 24-segment end-diastolic diameter (EDD), sphericity index (SI) and fractional shortening (FS) of the two ventricles of 500 normal pregnant fetuses were evaluated by Fetal HQ. The subjects were divided into 5 groups according to gestational weeks (GA), and the changes of fetal heart morphology and function were observed. P<0.05 indicated the statistically significant difference. Results: The fetal heart rate decreased gradually with the increase of GA (P<0.05). The size parameters of the fetal heart and two ventricles gradually increased with increasing GA (P<0.05). The 24 segments EDD of both ventricles increased with increasing GA (P<0.05), while the EDD increased first and then decreased from the ventricle base to the apex. The GSI and the 24 segments SI of two ventricles were basically not significantly different among the groups (P>0.05). The EF, GLS, FAC of the left ventricle and the GLS, FAC of the right ventricle decreased with the increase of GA (P<0.05), and SV and CO increased with increasing GA (P<0.05). The 24 segments FS of the left ventricle showed a downward trend with the increase of GA and gradually increased from the base to the apex. The FS of most segments of the right ventricle decreased with the increase of the GA and increased first and then decreased from the base to the apex. Conclusions: The whole and segmental size parameters of fetal heart can quantitatively evaluate the growth and development of fetal heart; the GSI and segmental SI are reliable morphological indexes for evaluating fetal heart; fetal ventricular function parameters EF, FAC, GLS and segmental FS can evaluate fetal cardiac function. The Fetal HQ technique can help us to evaluate the heart growth and development of normal fetuses in the second and third trimester of pregnancy.

Population genomic analysis reveals genetic divergence and adaptation in Brachymystax lenok.

Studying how populations in various environments differ genetically is crucial for gaining insights into the evolution of biodiversity. In order to pinpoint potential indicators of divergence and adaptation to diverse environments, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of 3,491,868 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) derived from five populations of Brachymystax lenok. We discovered significant geographic divergence among these 5 populations, which lack evidence of gene flow among them. Our results further demonstrated that the current distribution pattern of Brachymystax lenok are driven by geographical isolation and changes in oceans and rivers. We also performed genome-wide scan and identified the genes evolved to adapt the different environments, including stress response. In general, these results provide genomic support for high-level genetic divergence and the genetic basis of adaptation to different environments.

Assessing the effects of air pollution and residential greenness on frailty in older adults: a prospective cohort study from China.

Many studies have established a correlation between air pollution and green space with age-related diseases, yet the relationship between air pollution, green space, and frailty among older adults is not fully understood. The primary objective of this investigation is to examine the longitudinal association among air pollution, green space, and frailty in older adults, as well as the potential interaction and mediating effect. Analyzed data were obtained from the multi-wave CLHLS investigation (2008-2018). The participants' environmental exposure was evaluated using six air pollutants (PM1, PM2.5, PM10, PM10-2.5, O3, and NO2), and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Annual ambient air pollutants were estimated using satellite-based spatiotemporal models. Time-varying Cox proportional risk models were employed to investigate the longitudinal relationships between air pollutants, greenness, and the onset of frailty in the elderly population. We conducted a variety of subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, and assessed potential interaction and causal mediating effects. A total of 6953 eligible elderly individuals were enrolled in our study. In the fully adjusted model, per IQR uptick in levels of PM1, PM2.5, PM10, PM10-2.5, O3, and NO2 corresponded to a 17% (95% CI 1.10-1.24), 25% (95% CI 1.17-1.34), 29% (95% CI 1.20-1.39), 35% (95% CI 1.24-1.47), 12% (95% CI 1.04-1.20), and 11% (95% CI 1.05-1.18) increase in frailty risk, respectively. For NDVI, increased IQR was significantly negatively associated with the risk of frailty (aHR 0.82, 95% CI 0.77-0.87). Our results revealed a significant interaction effect among O3, NO2, and residential greenness. PM1, PM2.5, PM10, and PM10-2.5 play a mediating role in the estimated relationship between residential greenness and frailty. In summary, our study reveals that PM1, PM2.5, PM10, PM10-2.5, O3, and NO2 correspond to elevated risks of frailty in the elderly. Residential greenness is associated with a lower risk of frailty in the elderly. Residential greenness can exert a positive impact on frailty by reducing particulate matter concentrations.

Extraction, purification, structural characteristic, health benefit, and product application of the polysaccharides from bamboo shoot: A review.

Bamboo shoot is a kind of widely distributed natural green vegetable, which has a long history of consumption and cultivation, and has edible, nutritional and economic value. Bamboo shoot is nutrient-rich food with carbohydrates, fats, proteins, polysaccharides, flavonoids, alkaloids and other chemical components, can meet the body's needs. Notably, bamboo shoot polysaccharides are the most attractive saccharides, most of which are water-soluble polysaccharides, and their various biological activities have been paid more attention by researchers. With the deepening of research on bamboo shoot polysaccharides, they have been found to have anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-complement activities, immunomodulatory, etc. Further research on bamboo shoot polysaccharides, their sources, molecular weights, chemical structures, monosaccharide compositions and structural characteristics are constantly explored. In order to better research and development of bamboo shoot polysaccharides, it is necessary to carry on a comprehensive arrangement. Here, the extraction and purification methods, structural characteristics, health benefits, structure-activity relationships and product applications of bamboo shoot polysaccharides were systematically reviewed. This article will deepen the understanding of bamboo shoot polysaccharides, provide knowledge base for further research on bamboo shoot polysaccharides, and expand the vision for developing related products.

Visual identification for species and sex derived from bloodstain based on phosphate-mediated isothermal amplification colorimetric system.

Species and sex confirmation of the biological specimen play a crucial role in crime investigation. However, the specimen found in the scene is always trace quantity, which is hard to be analyzed by current methods. Moreover, the time-consuming DNA extraction, sophisticated apparatus, and complex data processing make it difficult to satisfy the demand of speediness and convenience for point-of-care tests. In this study, we first exhibit a phosphate-based visual system for field-based species and sex identification derived from trace bloodstain. By introducing phosphate ion-based colorimetry into loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for result interpretation, not only the bloodstain can be directly submitted to mitochondrial variant amplification owing to the enhanced amplification efficiency by pyrophosphate ion hydrolyzation, but also the colorimetric signal can be recognized by the naked eye for result output within 30 min through molybdophosphate generation. Aerosol contamination, the major conflict of LAMP, has been solved once and for all by integrating uracil-DNA glycosylase into this system that still holds on a constant temperature. As a demonstration, cytochrome b and Y-chromosomal amelogenin are employed to identify species and sex respectively, which has achieved a highly sensitive and specific distinguishability under a strong interferential background. Accurate results can be obtained from both the simulative degraded and dated specimen, which indicates that this novel system may serve as a promising tool in forensic practice.

New perspectives in prognostication of hepatocellular carcinoma: The role and clinical implications of transient receptor potential family genes.

The study titled "Transient receptor potential-related risk model predicts prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients" is a significant contribution to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) research, highlighting the role of transient receptor potential (TRP) family genes in the disease's progression and prognosis. Utilizing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, it establishes a new risk assessment model, emphasizing the interaction of TRP genes with tumor proliferation pathways, key metabolic reactions like retinol metabolism, and the tumor immune microenvironment. Notably, the overexpression of the TRPC1 gene in HCC correlates with poorer patient survival outcomes, suggesting its potential as a prognostic biomarker and a target for personalized therapy, particularly in strategies combining immunotherapy and anti-TRP agents.

A review on extraction, purification, structural characteristics, biological activities, applications of polysaccharides from Hovenia dulcis Thunb. (Guai Zao).

Hovenia dulcis Thunb. (H. dulcis) is a widely distributed plant with a long history of cultivation and consumption. As a common plant, it has economic, edible and medicinal value. H. dulcis polysaccharides are one of their main bioactive ingredients and have many health benefits, such as anti-diabetes, antioxidation, anti-glycosylation, anti-fatigue, immune regulation activities and alcoholic liver disease protection activity. In this paper, the research progress of H. dulcis polysaccharides in extraction, purification, structural characteristics, biological activities, existing and potential applications were reviewed, which could provide new valuable insights for future studies.