Leaf carbon chemistry effectively manipulated soil microbial profiles and induced metabolic adjustments under different revegetation types in the loess Plateau, China.

Microorganisms are essential components of underground life systems and drive elemental cycling between plants and soil. Yet, in the ecologically fragile Loess Plateau, scant attention has been paid to the response of microbial communities to organic carbon (C) chemistry of both leaves and soils under different revegetation conditions, as well as subsequent alternation in their C metabolic functions. Here, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum, amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA and ITS, and temporal incubation with Biolog-Eco 96 plates were combined to explore the vegetative heterogeneity of microbial community properties and metabolic functions, as well as their regulatory mechanisms in three typical revegetation types including Robinia pseudoacacia L. (RF), Caragana korshinskii KOM. (SL), and abandoned grassland (AG). We observed higher bacterial-to-fungal ratios (B: F = 270.18) and richer copiotrophic bacteria (Proteobacteria = 33.08%) in RF soil than those in AG soil, suggesting that microbes were dominated by r-strategists in soil under RF treatment, which is mainly related to long-term priming of highly bioavailable leaf C (higher proportion of aromatic and hydrophilic functional groups and lower hydrophobicity). Conversely, microbial taxa in AG soil, which was characterized by higher leaf organic C hydrophobicity (1.39), were dominated by relatively more abundant fungi (lower B: F ratio = 149.49) and oligotrophic bacteria (Actinobacteria = 29.30%). The co-occurrence network analysis showed that microbial interactive associations in RF and AG soil were more complex and connective than in SL soil. Furthermore, Biolog-Eco plate experiments revealed that microorganisms tended to utilize labile C compounds (carbohydrates and amino acids) in RF soil and resistant C compounds (polymers) in AG soil, which were consistent with the substrate adaptation strategies of predominant microbial trophic groups in different revegetation environments. Meanwhile, we observed greater microbial metabolic activity and diversity advantages in RF vegetation. Collectively, we suggest that besides the nutrient variables in the leaf-soil system, the long-term regulation of the microbial community by the C chemistry of the leaf sequentially alters the microbial metabolic profiles in a domino-like manner. RF afforestation is more conducive to restoring soil microbial fertility (including microbial abundance, diversity, interactive association, and metabolic capacity). Our study potentially paves the way for achieving well-managed soil health and accurate prediction of C pool dynamics in areas undergoing ecological restoration of the Loess Plateau.

Nitrogen and Microelements Co-Drive the Decomposition of Typical Grass Litter in the Loess Plateau, China.

In grassland ecosystems, the decomposition of litter serves as a vital conduit for nutrient transfer between plants and soil. The aim of this study was to depict the dynamic process of grass litter decomposition and explore its major driver. Three typical grasses [Stipa bungeana Trin (St. B), Artemisia sacrorun Ledeb (Ar. S), and Thymus mongolicus Ronniger (Th. M)] were selected for long-term litter decomposition. Experiments were conducted using three single litters, namely, St. B, Ar. S, and Th. M, and four different compositions of mixed litter: ML1 (55% St. B and 45% Th. M), ML2 (55% St. B and 45% Ar. S), ML3 (75% St. B and 25% Th. M), and ML4 (75% St. B and 25% Ar. S). The dynamic patterns of mass and microelements (Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn) within different litter groups were analyzed. Our findings indicated that, after 1035 days of decomposition, the proportion of residual mass for the single litters was as follows: Th. M (60.6%) > St. B (47.3%) > Ar. S (44.3%), and for the mixed groups it was ML1 (48.0%) > ML3 (41.6%) > ML2 (40.9) > ML4 (38.4%). Mixed cultivation of the different litter groups accelerated the decomposition process, indicating that the mixture of litters had a synergistic effect on litter decomposition. The microelements of the litter exhibited an initial short-term increase followed by long-term decay. After 1035 days of decomposition, the microelements released from the litter were, in descending order, Mg > Ca > Fe > Cu > Mn > Zn. Compared to the separately decomposed St. B litter, mixing led to an inhibition of the release of Ca (antagonistic effect), while it promoted the release of Mg, Cu, and Zn (synergistic effect). For the single litter, the stepwise regression analysis showed that Ca was the dominant factor determining early litter decomposition. Mg, Mn, and Cu were the dominant factors regulating later litter decomposition. For the mixed litter groups, Ca, Mn, and Mg were the dominant factors closely related to early decomposition, and TN emerged as a key factor regulating the mass loss of mixtures during later decomposition. In summary, nitrogen and microelements co-drive the decomposition of typical grass litter. Our study underscores that, in the succession process of grassland, the presence of multiple co-existing species led to a faster loss of plant-derived materials (litter mass and internal elements), which was primarily modulated by species identity and uniformity.

Crucial roles of specialized chitinases in elytral and hindwing cuticles construction in Leptinotarsa decemlineata.

BACKGROUND: The Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata, is a major potato (Solanum tuberosum) pest, infesting over 16 million km2 and causing substantial economic losses. The insect cuticle forms an apical extracellular matrix (ECM) envelope covering exposed organs to direct morphogenesis and confer structural protection. While select chitinase (Cht) genes have proven essential for larval development, their potential activities directing ECM remodeling underlying adult wing maturation remain undefined. RESULTS: We investigated the expression patterns and performed an oral RNA interference (RNAi) screen targeting 19 LdChts in late-instar L. decemlineata larvae. Subsequently, we assessed their effects on adult eclosion and wing characteristics. Knockdown of LdCht5, LdCht7, LdCht10, LdIDGF2, and LdIDGF4, as well as others from Group IV (LdCht15, LdCht12, LdCht17, and LdCht13) and Groups VII-X (LdCht2, LdCht11, LdCht1, and LdCht3), resulting in shrunken, misshapen elytra with reduced areal density, as well as transverse wrinkling and impaired wing-tip folding in hindwings. Scanning electron micrographs revealed eroded elytral ridges alongside thinned, ruptured hindwing veins, indicative of mechanical fragility post-LdCht suppression. Spectroscopic analysis uncovered biomolecular alterations underlying the elytral anomalies, including decreases in peaks representing chitin, proteins, and lipids. This loss of essential ECM components provides evidence for the fragility, wrinkling, and shrinkage observed in the RNAi groups. CONCLUSION: Our findings elucidate the crucial role of chitinases in the turnover of chitinous cuticles on beetle wings, offering insights into RNAi-based control strategies against this invasive pest. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Association between dietary vitamin intake and mortality in US adults with diabetes: A prospective cohort study.

AIMS: To explore the association of dietary vitamin intake from food and/or supplement with mortality in US adults with diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective cohort study was conducted on 5418 US adults with diabetes from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2018. Vitamin intake from food and supplements was estimated via dietary recall. Sufficient intake from food or food + supplement was defined as ≥ estimated average requirement (EAR) and ≤ tolerable upper intake level (UL), insufficient intake, < EAR; and excess intake, > UL. Medium supplementary intake was classified as > median level and ≤75th percentile; low intake, ≤ median level; and high intake, >75th percentile, as reported by supplement users. RESULTS: A total of 1601 deaths occurred among the participants over a median follow-up of 11.0 years. Cox regression analysis of the single-vitamin model demonstrated that sufficient vitamin A and folate intake from food and food + supplement and medium vitamin A and folate intake from supplement; sufficient riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin B6 intake from food and food + supplement; and sufficient thiamin and vitamin E intake from food + supplement were significantly associated with reduced all-cause mortality (all p < 0.05). In the multivitamin model, sufficient vitamin A and folate intake from food and food + supplement, medium vitamin A and folate intake from the supplement, and sufficient niacin intake from food and food + supplement were inversely associated with mortality (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin A and folate intake from food or supplement and niacin intake from food were significantly associated with reduced mortality in US adults with diabetes.

Health system barriers to timely routine measles vaccinations in rural southwest China: a qualitative study on the perspectives of township vaccination professionals and village doctors.

OBJECTIVES: A well-functioning health system ensures timely routine measles vaccinations for age-appropriate children, minimising measles risk. However, there is limited knowledge about the impact of the performance of immunisation programmes in health systems on the timeliness of measles vaccination. This study aimed to identify health system barriers to timely routine measles vaccination in rural southwest China, integrating the perspectives of township vaccination professionals and village doctors. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Qualitative study among township vaccination professionals and village doctors in rural Guangxi, southwest China. METHODS: 20 focus group discussions (FGDs) at township level and 120 in-depth interviews (IDIs) at village level, based on a four-theme framework. We used convenience sampling to recruit 60 township vaccination professionals and 120 village doctors in 2015. Instruments used were a semistructured questionnaire and interview outlines. We collected township and village-level data focusing on themes of health resources allocation, pattern of vaccination services, management and supervision of vaccination services, and perceptions of vaccination policy. The FGDs and IDIs were audio-recorded and transcribed. Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis approach was adopted to synthesise findings into meaningful subthemes, narrative text and illustrative quotations. RESULTS: The health system barriers to timely routine vaccinations were explored across four themes. Barriers in the health resources allocation theme comprised (1) inadequacy of vaccination-related human resources (eg, lack of township vaccination professionals and lack of young village doctors), and (2) incompatible and non-identical information system of vaccination services across regions. Barriers in the pattern of vaccination services theme included inflexible vaccination services models, for example, routine vaccination services being offered monthly on fixed vaccination days, limited numbers of vaccination days per month, vaccination days being set on non-local market days, vaccination days being clustered into a specific period and absence of formal vaccination appointments. Ineffective economic incentive mechanism was identified as a barrier in the management and supervision of vaccination services theme. Low-degree participation of village doctors in routine vaccination services was identified as a barrier in the perceptions of vaccination policy theme. CONCLUSIONS: We encourage policymakers and stakeholders to apply these findings to improve the timeliness of routine vaccination. Barriers to timely routine vaccination include inadequate allocation of vaccination-related resources and inflexible vaccination service delivery models. Financial and non-financial incentives should be used to retain and recruit vaccination professionals and village doctors. Strengthening information systems with unified data standards enables cross-regional data exchange. Optimising immunisation services and rationalising vaccination days could eliminate health system barriers and improve vaccination timeliness in rural China.

Residues of sulfoxaflor and its metabolites in floral and extrafloral nectar from Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. (Malvaceae) with or without co-application of tebuconazole.

Systemic pesticide exposure through nectar is a growing global concern linked to loss of insect diversity, especially pollinators. The insecticide sulfoxaflor and the fungicide tebuconazole are currently widely used systemic pesticides which are toxic to certain pollinators. However, their metabolisms in floral or extrafloral nectar under different application methods have not yet been well studied. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis was exposed to sulfoxaflor and tebuconazole via soil drenching and foliar spraying. Sulfoxaflor, tebuconazole, and their main metabolites in floral and extrafloral nectar, soil, and leaves were identified and quantified using liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-QqQ MS). The chemical compositions of unexposed and contaminated H. rosa-sinensis floral nectar or extrafloral nectar were compared using regular biochemical methods. The activities of two pesticide detoxifying enzymes, glutathione-s-transferase and nitrile hydratase, in H. rosa-sinensis nectar were examined using LC-MS and spectrophotometry. The floral nectar proteome of H. rosa-sinensis was analysed using high-resolution orbitrap-based MS/MS analysis to screen for sulfoxaflor and tebuconazole detoxifying enzymes. H. rosa-sinensis can absorb sulfoxaflor and tebuconazole through its roots or leaf surfaces and secrete them into floral nectar and extrafloral nectar. Both sulfoxaflor and tebuconazole and their major metabolites were present at higher concentrations in extrafloral nectar than in floral nectar. X11719474 was the dominant metabolite of sulfoxaflor in the nectars we studied. Compared with soil application, more sulfoxaflor and tebuconazole remained in their original forms in floral nectar and extrafloral nectar after foliar application. Sulfoxaflor and tebuconazole exposure did not modify the chemical composition of floral or extrafloral nectar. No active components, including proteins in the nectar, were detected to be able to detoxify sulfoxaflor.

Estimating the Health and Economic Impact of Improved Management in Prevalent Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Populations in England, Germany, Canada, and Japan: A Modelling Study.

Introduction: COPD is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Management is complex and costly. Although international quality standards for diagnosis and management exist, opportunities remain to improve outcomes, especially in reducing avoidable hospitalisations. Objective: To estimate the potential health and economic impact of improved adherence to guideline-recommended care for prevalent, on-treatment COPD populations in four high-income settings. Methods: A disease simulation model was developed to evaluate the impact of theoretical improvements to COPD management, comparing outcomes for usual care and policy scenarios for interventions that reduce avoidable hospitalisations: 1) increased attendance (50% vs 31-38%) of early follow-up review after severe exacerbation hospitalisation; 2) increased access (30% vs 5-10%) to an integrated disease management (IDM) programme that provides guideline adherent care. Results: For cohorts of 100,000 patients, Policy 1 yielded additional life years (England: 523; Germany: 759; Canada: 1316; Japan: 512) and lifetime cost savings (-£2.89 million; -€6.58 million; -$40.08 million; -¥735.58 million). For Policy 2, additional life years (2299; 3619; 3656) and higher lifetime total costs (£38.15 million; €35.58 million; ¥1091.53 million) were estimated in England, Germany and Japan, and additional life years (4299) and cost savings (-$20.52 million) in Canada. Scenarios found that the cost impact depended on the modelled intervention effect size. Conclusion: Interventions that reduce avoidable hospitalisations are estimated to improve survival and may generate cost savings. This study provides evidence on the theoretical impact of policies to improve COPD care and highlights priority areas for further research to support evidence-based policy decisions.

Self-reported critical gaps in the essential knowledge and capacity of spatial epidemiology between the current university education and competency-oriented professional demands in preparing for a future pandemic among public health postgraduates in China: a nationwide cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Spatial epidemiology plays an important role in public health. Yet, it is unclear whether the current university education in spatial epidemiology in China could meet the competency-oriented professional demands. This study aimed to understand the current situation of education and training, practical application, and potential demands in spatial epidemiology among public health postgraduates in China, and to assess the critical gaps in a future emerging infectious diseases (EID) pandemic preparedness and response. METHODS: This study was divided into three parts. The first part was a comparative study on spatial epidemiology education in international public health postgraduate training. The second part was a cross-sectional survey conducted among public health professionals. The third part was a nationwide cross-sectional survey conducted among public health postgraduates at Chinese universities from October 2020 to February 2021. Data was collected by the WeChat-based questionnaire star survey system and analyzed using the SPSS software. RESULTS: International education institutions had required public health postgraduates to master the essential knowledge and capacity of spatial epidemiology. A total of 198 public health professionals were surveyed, and they had a median of 4.00 (IQR 3.13-4.53) in demand degree of spatial epidemiology. A total of 1354 public health postgraduates were surveyed from 51 universities. Only 29.41% (15/51) of universities offered spatial epidemiology course. Around 8.05% (109/1354) of postgraduates had learned spatial epidemiology, and had a median of 1.05 (IQR 1.00-1.29) in learning degree and a median of 1.91 (IQR 1.05-2.78) in practical application degree of spatial epidemiology. To enhance professional capacity, 65.95% (893/1354) of postgraduates hoped that universities would deliver a credit-course of spatial epidemiology. CONCLUSIONS: A huge unmet education and training demand in spatial epidemiology existed in the current education system of public health postgraduates in China. To enhance the competency-oriented professional capacity in preparedness and response to a future pandemic, it is urgent to incorporate the teaching and training of spatial epidemiology into the compulsory curriculum system of public health postgraduates in China.

Role and mechanism of WNT5A in benzo(a)pyrene-induced acute lung injury and lung function decline.

Benzo(a)pyrene was sparsely studied for its early respiratory impairment. The non-canonical ligand WNT5A play a role in pneumonopathy, while its function during benzo(a)pyrene-induced adverse effects were largely unexplored. Individual benzo(a)pyrene, plasma WNT5A, and spirometry 24-hour change for 87 residents from Wuhan-Zhuhai cohort were determined to analyze potential role of WNT5A in benzo(a)pyrene-induced lung function alternation. Normal bronchial epithelial cell lines were employed to verify the role of WNT5A after benzo(a)pyrene treatment. RNA sequencing was adopted to screen for benzo(a)pyrene-related circulating microRNAs and differentially expressed microRNAs between benzo(a)pyrene-induced cells and controls. The most potent microRNA was selected for functional experiments and target gene validation, and their mechanistic link with WNT5A-mediated non-canonical Wnt signaling was characterized through rescue assays. We found significant associations between increased benzo(a)pyrene and reduced 24-hour changes of FEF50% and FEF75%, as well as increased WNT5A. The benzo(a)pyrene-induced inflammation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in BEAS-2B and 16HBE cells were attenuated by WNT5A silencing. hsa-miR-122-5p was significantly and positively associated with benzo(a)pyrene and elevated after benzo(a)pyrene induction, and exerted its effect by downregulating target gene TP53. Functionally, WNT5A participates in benzo(a)pyrene-induced lung epithelial injury via non-canonical Wnt signaling modulated by hsa-miR-122-5p/TP53 axis, showing great potential as a preventive and therapeutic target.

The Antiparallel Coiled-Coil Domain Allows Multiple Forward Step Sizes of Myosin X.

Myosin X forms an antiparallel dimer and moves processively on actin bundles. How the antiparallel dimer affects the stepping mechanism of myosin X remains elusive. Here, we generated several chimeras using domains of myosin V and X and performed single-molecule motility assays. We found that the chimera containing the motor domain from myosin V and the lever arm and antiparallel coiled-coil domain from myosin X has multiple forward step sizes and moves processively, similar to full-length myosin X. The chimera containing the motor domain and lever arm from myosin X and the parallel coiled-coil from myosin V takes steps of ∼40 nm at lower ATP concentrations but was nonprocessive at higher ATP concentrations. Furthermore, mutant myosin X with four mutations in the antiparallel coiled-coil domain failed to dimerize and was nonprocessive. These results imply that the antiparallel coiled-coil domain is necessary for multiple forward step sizes of myosin X.

The emerging spectrum of fetal acetylcholine receptor antibody-related disorders (FARAD).

In utero exposure to maternal antibodies targeting the fetal acetylcholine receptor isoform (fAChR) can impair fetal movement, leading to arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC). Fetal AChR antibodies have also been implicated in apparently rare, milder myopathic presentations termed fetal acetylcholine receptor inactivation syndrome (FARIS). The full spectrum associated with fAChR antibodies is still poorly understood. Moreover, since some mothers have no myasthenic symptoms, the condition is likely underreported, resulting in failure to implement effective preventive strategies. Here we report clinical and immunological data from a multicentre cohort (n = 46 cases) associated with maternal fAChR antibodies, including 29 novel and 17 previously reported with novel follow-up data. Remarkably, in 50% of mothers there was no previously established myasthenia gravis (MG) diagnosis. All mothers (n = 30) had AChR antibodies and, when tested, binding to fAChR was often much greater than that to the adult AChR isoform. Offspring death occurred in 11/46 (23.9%) cases, mainly antenatally due to termination of pregnancy prompted by severe AMC (7/46, 15.2%), or during early infancy, mainly from respiratory failure (4/46, 8.7%). Weakness, contractures, bulbar and respiratory involvement were prominent early in life, but improved gradually over time. Facial (25/34; 73.5%) and variable peripheral weakness (14/32; 43.8%), velopharyngeal insufficiency (18/24; 75%) and feeding difficulties (16/36; 44.4%) were the most common sequelae in long-term survivors. Other unexpected features included hearing loss (12/32; 37.5%), diaphragmatic paresis (5/35; 14.3%), CNS involvement (7/40; 17.5%) and pyloric stenosis (3/37; 8.1%). Oral salbutamol used empirically in 16/37 (43.2%) offspring resulted in symptom improvement in 13/16 (81.3%). Combining our series with all previously published cases, we identified 21/85 mothers treated with variable combinations of immunotherapies (corticosteroids/intravenous immunoglobulin/plasmapheresis) during pregnancy either for maternal MG symptom control (12/21 cases) or for fetal protection (9/21 cases). Compared to untreated pregnancies (64/85), maternal treatment resulted in a significant reduction in offspring deaths (P < 0.05) and other complications, with treatment approaches involving intravenous immunoglobulin/ plasmapheresis administered early in pregnancy most effective. We conclude that presentations due to in utero exposure to maternal (fetal) AChR antibodies are more common than currently recognized and may mimic a wide range of neuromuscular disorders. Considering the wide clinical spectrum and likely diversity of underlying mechanisms, we propose 'fetal acetylcholine receptor antibody-related disorders' (FARAD) as the most accurate term for these presentations. FARAD is vitally important to recognize, to institute appropriate management strategies for affected offspring and to improve outcomes in future pregnancies. Oral salbutamol is a symptomatic treatment option in survivors.

[Effects of 24 Years Different Straw Return on Soil Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Extracellular Enzymatic Stoichiometry in Dryland of the Loess Plateau, China].

Exploring the biogeochemical cycle characteristics of soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in farmland in the dryland of the loess plateau can provide scientific basis and technical support for efficient crop production and sustainable land use. Here, based on a long-term (24 year) straw return field experiment in Shouyang, Shanxi province, the effects of different straw return regimes, i.e., straw mulching (SM), direct straw return (DS), animal-digested straw return (AS), and non-straw return (CK), on the stoichiometric ratio of soil elements and extracellular enzyme activities were studied. The vector angle and length were calculated to indicate the resource constraints faced by microorganisms. The vector angle was greater than 45° and less than 45°, indicating that microorganisms were limited by phosphorus and nitrogen, respectively. The greater the deviation from 45°, the greater the degree of limitation, and the longer the vector length, the more severely limited by carbon. The results showed that ① the soil C/N and C/P of long-term straw returning ranged from 9.81 to 14.28 and from 14.58 to 21.92, with the mean values of 12.36 and 17.51, respectively, which were 6.0% and 4.2% lower than that at the initial stage of the experiment. The soil N/P was distributed between 1.27 and 1.57, with an average of 1.42, which was 2.2% higher than that in the initial stage. The soil C/N and C/P ratios showed a trend of first decreasing and then increasing, the soil N/P ratio basically showed a flat trend, and there was no significant difference in soil element metering ratios between different straw returning treatments. ② Compared with the 24-year long-term non-straw return treatment, the activities of ß-1,4-glucosidase (BG) and ß-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) in the soil of the long-term straw mulching treatment increased by 134.4% and 107.5% (P<0.05), the activities of BG and alkaline phosphatase (AP) in the soil of the long-term straw mulching treatment decreased by 59.3% and 59.5% (P<0.05), respectively, and the activities of NAG in the soil of the long-term straw mulching treatment increased by 102.8% (P<0.05). Under the long-term straw returning treatment, soil microorganisms were faced with carbon and phosphorus limitation as a whole. Long-term straw mulching aggravated microbial carbon limitation, and animal-digested straw return could alleviate the degree of carbon limitation. Compared with that in the 24-year long-term non-straw return treatment, soil EEAC/N could be significantly reduced by the animal-digested straw return treatment, and soil EEAC/P could be increased by the direct straw return treatment. The three straw returning methods had no significant indigenous effect on soil EEAN/P. The overall vector angle was greater than 45°, and the vector length increased by 3.8%-20.1% compared with that in the initial stage. ③ Correlation analysis showed that C and N inputs were significantly negatively correlated with BG activity; available nitrogen was significantly correlated with NAG activity, AP activity, and EEAC/N; C/P was significantly positively correlated with EEAC/N; there were significant correlations between N/P and NAG activity, AP activity, EEAC/N, and EEAC/P; and there was no significant correlation between EEAN/P and any environmental factors. In conclusion, the availability of soil nitrogen and phosphorus elements and N/P ratio had significant effects on soil extracellular enzyme activity and stoichiometric characteristics under different long-term straw returning treatments. In the future, more attention should be paid to the improvement of organic carbon and the promotion of nitrogen and phosphorus availability in farmland soil in soil-efficient cultivation and agricultural production activities.

Spin-Lattice Coupled Metamagnetism in Frustrated van der Waals Magnet CrOCl.

The long-range magnetic ordering in frustrated magnetic systems is stabilized by coupling magnetic moments to various degrees of freedom, for example, by enhancing magnetic anisotropy via lattice distortion. Here, the unconventional spin-lattice coupled metamagnetic properties of atomically-thin CrOCl, a van der Waals antiferromagnet with inherent magnetic frustration rooted in the staggered square lattice, are reported. Using temperature- and angle-dependent tunneling magnetoconductance (TMC), in complementary with magnetic torque and first-principles calculations, the antiferromagnetic (AFM)-to-ferrimagnetic (FiM) metamagnetic transitions (MTs) of few-layer CrOCl are revealed to be triggered by collective magnetic moment flipping rather than the established spin-flop mechanism, when external magnetic field (H) enforces a lattice reconstruction interlocked with the five-fold periodicity of the FiM phase. The spin-lattice coupled MTs are manifested by drastic jumps in TMC, which show anomalous upshifts at the transition thresholds and persist much higher above the AFM Néel temperature. While the MTs exhibit distinctive triaxial anisotropy, reflecting divergent magnetocrystalline anisotropy of the c-axis AFM ground state, the resulting FiM phase has an a-c easy plane in which the magnetization axis is freely rotated by H. At the 2D limit, such a field-tunable FiM phase may provide unique opportunities to explore exotic emergent phenomena and novel spintronics devices.

Acrolein Exposure Impaired Glucose Homeostasis and Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: An Urban Adult Population-Based Cohort Study with Repeated Measures.

Acrolein is an identified high-priority hazardous air pollutant ubiquitous in daily life and associated with cardiometabolic risk that attracts worldwide attention. However, the etiology role of acrolein exposure in glucose dyshomeostasis and type 2 diabetes (T2D) is unclear. This repeated-measurement prospective cohort study included 3522 urban adults. Urine/blood samples were repeatedly collected for determinations of acrolein metabolites (N-acetyl-S-(3-hydroxypropyl)-l-cysteine, N-acetyl-S-(2-carboxyethyl)-l-cysteine; acrolein exposure biomarkers), glucose homeostasis, and T2D at baseline and a three-year follow-up. We found that each 3-fold increment in acrolein metabolites was cross-sectionally associated with 5.91-6.52% decrement in homeostasis model assessment-insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IS) and 0.07-0.14 mmol/L, 4.02-4.57, 5.91-6.52, 19-20, 18-19, and 23-31% increments in fasting glucose (FPG), fasting insulin (FPI), HOMA-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), risks of prevalent IR, impaired fasting glucose (IFG), and T2D, respectively; longitudinally, participants with sustained-high acrolein metabolite levels had increased risks of incident IR, IFG, and T2D by 63-80, 87-99, and 120-154%, respectively (P < 0.05). In addition, biomarkers of heme oxygenase-1 activity (exhaled carbon monoxide), lipid peroxidation (8-iso-prostaglandin-F2α), protein carbonylation (protein carbonyls), and oxidative DNA damage (8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine) mediated 5.00-38.96% of these associations. Our study revealed that acrolein exposure may impair glucose homeostasis and increase T2D risk via mediating mechanisms of heme oxygenase-1 activation, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, and oxidative DNA damage.

Lipid peroxidation mediates the association between iron overload and liver injury: cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses in general Chinese urban adults.

Iron overload has been associated with acute/chronic organ failure, but whether iron overload induces liver injury remains unclear. The objectives of this study were to assess the relationship between urinary iron and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT, a biomarker for liver injury), and investigate the potential mediating roles of lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage in such association. Levels of urinary iron, serum ALT, and urinary biomarkers of lipid peroxidation (8-iso-prostaglandin-F2α [8-iso-PGF2α]) and oxidative DNA damage (8-hydroxy-deoxyguano-sine [8-OHdG]) were measured among 5386 observations of 4220 participants from the Wuhan-Zhuhai cohort. The relationships of urinary iron with serum ALT and risk of hyperALT were evaluated by linear mixed model and logistic regression model, respectively. The mediating roles of 8-iso-PGF2α and 8-OHdG were assessed by mediation analyses. This cross-sectional analysis found that urinary iron was positively associated with ALT (ß = 0.032; 95% CI: 0.020, 0.044) and hyperALT prevalence (OR = 1.127; 95% CI: 1.065, 1.192). After 3 years of follow-up, participants with persistent high iron levels had increased risk of developing hyperALT (RR = 3.800; 95% CI: 1.464, 9.972) when compared with those with persistent low iron levels. In addition, each 1% increase in urinary iron was associated with a 0.146% (95% CI: 0.128%, 0.164%) increase and a 0.192% (95% CI: 0.154%, 0.229%) increase in 8-iso-PGF2α and 8-OHdG, respectively. Urinary 8-iso-PGF2α (ß = 0.056; 95% CI: 0.039, 0.074) was positively associated with ALT, while the association between 8-OHdG and ALT was insignificant. Furthermore, increased 8-iso-PGF2α significantly mediated 22.48% of the urinary iron-associated ALT increment. Our study demonstrated that iron overload was significantly associated with liver injury, which was partly mediated by lipid peroxidation. Controlling iron intake and regulating lipid peroxidation may help in preventing liver injury.

Arsenic exposure incurs hyperglycemia mediated by oxidative damage in urban adult population: A prospective cohort study with three repeated measures.

The associations and potential mechanisms of low to moderate arsenic exposure with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are still unclear. To assess the effects of short-term and long-term arsenic exposure on hyperglycemia and the mediating effect of oxidative damage on such association, three repeated-measures studies with 9938 observations were conducted in the Wuhan-Zhuhai cohort. The levels of urinary total arsenic, FPG, urinary 8-iso-prostaglandin F2alpha (8-iso-PGF2α), urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and plasma protein carbonyls (PCO) were measured. Generalized linear mixed models were used to evaluate the exposure-response relationships of urinary total arsenic with FPG and the prevalent risks of impaired fasting glucose (IFG), T2DM, and abnormal glucose regulation (AGR). Cox regression models were applied to assess the associations of arsenic exposure with incident risks of IFG, T2DM, and AGR. Mediation analyses were performed to assess the mediating effects of 8-iso-PGF2α, 8-OHdG, and PCO. In cross-sectional analyses, each one-unit increase in natural log-transformed urinary total arsenic was associated with a 0.082 (95% CI: 0.047 to 0.118) mmol/L increase in FPG, as well as a 10.3% (95% CI: 1.4%-20.0%), 4.4% (95% CI: 5.3%-15.2%), and 8.7% (95% CI: 1.2%-16.6%) increase in prevalent risks of IFG, T2DM, and AGR, respectively. In longitudinal analyses, arsenic exposure was further associated with the annual increased rate of FPG with a ß (95% CI) of 0.021 (95% CI: 0.010 to 0.033). The incident risks of IFG, T2DM, and AGR were increased without statistical significance when arsenic levels increased. Mediation analyses showed that 8-iso-PGF2α and PCO mediated 30.04% and 10.02% of the urinary total arsenic-associated FPG elevation, respectively. Our study indicated that arsenic exposure was associated with elevated level and progression rate of FPG among general Chinese adults, where lipid peroxidation and oxidative protein damage might be the potential mechanisms.

A Case of Giant Cutaneous Lopez Type III Meningioma of the Scalp.

Meningiomas are the most common central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Extracranial meningiomas are rare, constituting 2% of all meningiomas. We describe a case of Lopez type III meningioma of the scalp in a 72-year-old gentleman who had a long-standing giant scalp mass and presented with recent mild left-sided limb weakness and numbness. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the skull demonstrated a right frontoparietal tumor extending through the skull into the scalp. Tumor excision revealed World Health Organization (WHO) grade 1 meningioma. Clinicians should correlate a cutaneous skull mass and new onset of neurological symptoms. Cutaneous meningioma is an important differential diagnosis.

The potential role of plasma miR-4301 in PM2.5 exposure-associated lung function reduction.

The effect of PM2.5 exposure on lung function reduction has been well-documented, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. MiR-4301 may be involved in regulating pathways related to lung injury/repairment, and this study aimed to explore the potential role of miR-4301 in PM2.5 exposure-associated lung function reduction. A total of 167 Wuhan community nonsmokers were included in this study. Lung function was measured and personal PM2.5 exposure moving averages were evaluated for each participant. Plasma miRNA was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. A generalized linear model was conducted to assess the relationships among personal PM2.5 moving average concentrations, lung function, and plasma miRNA. The mediation effect of miRNA on the association of personal PM2.5 exposure with lung function reduction was estimated. Finally, we performed pathway enrichment analysis to predict the underlying pathways of miRNA in lung function reduction from PM2.5 exposure. We found that each 10 µg/m3 increase in the 7-day personal PM2.5 moving average concentration (Lag0-7) was related to a 46.71 mL, 1.15%, 157.06 mL/s, and 188.13 mL/s reductions in FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF, and MMF, respectively. PM2.5 exposure was negatively associated with plasma miR-4301 expression levels in a dose‒response manner. Additionally, each 1% increase in miR-4301 expression level was significantly associated with a 0.36 mL, 0.01%, 1.14 mL/s, and 1.28 mL/s increases in FEV1, FEV1/FVC, MMF, and PEF, respectively. Mediation analysis further revealed that decreased miR-4301 mediated 15.6% and 16.8% of PM2.5 exposure-associated reductions in FEV1/FVC and MMF, respectively. Pathway enrichment analyses suggested that the wingless related-integration site (Wnt) signaling pathway might be one of the pathways regulated by miR-4301 in the reduction of lung function from PM2.5 exposure. In brief, personal PM2.5 exposure was negatively associated with plasma miR-4301 or lung function in a dose‒response manner. Moreover, miR-4301 partially mediated the lung function reduction associated with PM2.5 exposure.

Fast reconstruction method of three-dimension model based on dual RGB-D cameras for peanut plant.

BACKGROUND: Plant shape and structure are important factors in peanut breeding research. Constructing a three-dimension (3D) model can provide an effective digital tool for comprehensive and quantitative analysis of peanut plant structure. Fast and accurate are always the goals of the plant 3D model reconstruction research. RESULTS: We proposed a 3D reconstruction method based on dual RGB-D cameras for the peanut plant 3D model quickly and accurately. The two Kinect v2 were mirror symmetry placed on both sides of the peanut plant, and the point cloud data obtained were filtered twice to remove noise interference. After rotation and translation based on the corresponding geometric relationship, the point cloud acquired by the two Kinect v2 was converted to the same coordinate system and spliced into the 3D structure of the peanut plant. The experiment was conducted at various growth stages based on twenty potted peanuts. The plant traits' height, width, length, and volume were calculated through the reconstructed 3D models, and manual measurement was also carried out during the experiment processing. The accuracy of the 3D model was evaluated through a synthetic coefficient, which was generated by calculating the average accuracy of the four traits. The test result showed that the average accuracy of the reconstructed peanut plant 3D model by this method is 93.42%. A comparative experiment with the iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm, a widely used 3D modeling algorithm, was additionally implemented to test the rapidity of this method. The test result shows that the proposed method is 2.54 times faster with approximated accuracy compared to the ICP method. CONCLUSIONS: The reconstruction method for the 3D model of the peanut plant described in this paper is capable of rapidly and accurately establishing a 3D model of the peanut plant while also meeting the modeling requirements for other species' breeding processes. This study offers a potential tool to further explore the 3D model for improving traits and agronomic qualities of plants.

Plasma microRNA expression profiles associated with zinc exposure and type 2 diabetes mellitus: Exploring potential role of miR-144-3p in zinc-induced insulin resistance.

Zinc exposure has been linked with disordered glucose metabolism and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) development. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. We conducted population-based studies and in vitro experiments to explore potential role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in zinc-related hyperglycemia and T2DM. In the discovery stage, we identified plasma miRNAs expression profile for zinc exposure based on 87 community residents from the Wuhan-Zhuhai cohort through next-generation sequencing. MiRNAs profiling for T2DM was also performed among 9 pairs newly diagnosed T2DM-healthy controls. In the validating stage, plasma miRNA related to both of zinc exposure and T2DM among the discovery population was measured by qRT-PCR in 161 general individuals derived from the same cohort. Furthermore, zinc treated HepG2 cells with mimic or inhibitor were used to verify the regulating role of miR-144-3p. Based on the discovery and validating populations, we observed that miR-144-3p was positively associated with urinary zinc, hyperglycemia, and risk of T2DM. In vitro experiments confirmed that zinc-induced increase in miR-144-3p expression suppressed the target gene Nrf2 and downstream antioxidant enzymes, and aggravated insulin resistance. Our findings provided a novel clue for mechanism underlying zinc-induced glucose dysmetabolism and T2DM development, emphasizing the important role of miR-144-3p dysregulation.