Single-structure 3-axis Lorentz force magnetometer based on an AlN-on-Si MEMS resonator.

This work presents a single-structure 3-axis Lorentz force magnetometer (LFM) based on an AlN-on-Si MEMS resonator. The operation of the proposed LFM relies on the flexible manipulation of applied excitation currents in different directions and frequencies, enabling the effective actuation of two mechanical vibration modes in a single device for magnetic field measurements in three axes. Specifically, the excited out-of-plane drum-like mode at 277 kHz is used for measuring the x- and y-axis magnetic fields, while the in-plane square-extensional mode at 5.4 MHz is used for measuring the z-axis magnetic field. The different configurations of applied excitation currents ensure good cross-interference immunity among the three axes. Compared to conventional capacitive LFMs, the proposed piezoelectric LFM utilizes strong electromechanical coupling from the AlN layer, which allows it to operate at ambient pressure with a high sensitivity. To understand and analyze the measured results, a novel equivalent circuit model for the proposed LFM is also reported in this work, which serves to separate the effect of Lorentz force from the unwanted capacitive feedthrough. The demonstrated 3-axis LFM exhibits measured magnetic responsivities of 1.74 ppm/mT, 1.83 ppm/mT and 6.75 ppm/mT in the x-, y- and z-axes, respectively, which are comparable to their capacitive counterparts.

The clinical and pathological features of Kimura disease in pediatric patients.

Background: Kimura disease is characterized by inflammation, with its underlying causes remaining uncertain. There is a lack of comprehensive and systematic research on the pathology of this condition in pediatric patients. Our objective is to study the clinical and pathological attributes of Kimura disease in pediatric patients and investigate the potential diagnostic significance of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in this context. Methods: Clinical and laboratory information, pathological characteristics, and follow-up data were correlated to examine the distinctive features. Immunohistochemistry, acid-fast staining, and molecular assay were used to identify the presence of IgE and pathogens. Results: We conducted an analysis of five cases of Kimura disease in pediatric patients at our hospital. The patients' ages ranged from 5 years and 7 months to 14 years and 2 months, with 4 (80%) being male. The most common site was the head and neck region, particularly the postauricular subcutaneous area. Eosinophilia was observed in four patients (80%), and two patients (40%) had elevated serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. Histopathological changes included eosinophilic infiltrates, follicular hyperplasia, and the proliferation of postcapillary venules. Immunohistochemical results supported the reactive nature of the lymphoid process and IgE deposition in the follicle, while no specific pathogens were discovered by special staining. All patients underwent surgical excision, and none experienced recurrence in their original location. Conclusion: Children with Kimura disease show distinct eosinophilic and IgE alterations in both laboratory findings and pathological features. The application of immunohistochemical staining of IgE could serve as a promising marker for diagnosing Kimura disease.

Columbianadin ameliorates experimental acute reflux esophagitis in rats via suppression of NF-κB pathway.

PURPOSE: Reflux esophagitis is a condition characterized by inflammation and irritation of the esophagus, resulting from the backflow of stomach acid and other gastric contents into the esophagus. Columbianadin is a coumarin derivative that exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In this study, we tried to scrutinize the protective effect of Columbianadin against acute reflux esophagitis in rats. METHODS: RAW 264.7 cells were utilized to assess cell viability and measure the production of inflammatory parameters. The rats received anesthesia, and reflux esophagitis was induced via ligation of pylorus and fore stomach and corpus junction. Rats received the oral administration of Columbianadin (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) and omeprazole (20 mg/kg). The gastric secretion volume, acidity, and pH were measured. Additionally, the levels of oxidative stress parameters, cytokines, and inflammatory markers were determined. At the end of the study, mRNA expression was assessed. RESULTS: Columbianadin remarkably suppressed the cell viability and production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and prostaglandin (PGE2). Columbianadin treatment remarkably suppressed the secretion of gastric volume, total acidity and enhanced the pH level in the stomach. Columbianadin remarkably altered the level of hydrogen peroxidase, free iron, calcium, and plasma scavenging activity, sulfhydryl group; oxidative stress parameters like malonaldehyde, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase; inflammatory cytokines viz., TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1ß, IL-10, IL-17, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1; inflammatory parameters including PGE2, iNOS, COX-2, and nuclear kappa B factor (NF-κB). Columbianadin remarkably (P < 0.001) suppressed the mRNA expression TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1ß and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. CONCLUSIONS: Columbianadin demonstrated a protective effect against acute reflux esophagitis via NF-κB pathway.

Effect of propofol and ciprofol on the euphoric reaction in patients with painless gastroscopy: A prospective randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To explore the effects of propofol and ciprofol on patient euphoric reactions during sedation in patients undergoing gastroscopy and to investigate potential factors that may influence euphoric reactions in patients. Methods: A total of 217 patients were randomly divided into two groups: the propofol group (P group, n = 109) and the ciprofol group (C group, n = 108). The patients in the P group were given 2 mg/kg propofol, and those in the C group were given 0.5 mg/kg ciprofol. The patients were assessed using the Addiction Research Center Inventory-Chinese Version (ARCI-CV) to measure euphoric reactions at three time points: preexamination, 30 min after awakening, and 1 week after examination. Anxiety, depression, and sleep status were evaluated using appropriate scales at admission and 1 week after the examination. The dream rate, sedative effects, vital sign dynamics, and adverse reactions were documented during the sedation process. Results: After 30 min of awakening, the P group and C group showed no statistically significant differences in the mean morphine-benzedrine group (MBG) score (8.84 vs. 9.09, P > 0.05), dream rate (42.2 % vs. 40.7 %, P > 0.05), or MBG score one week after the examination (7.04 vs. 7.05, P > 0.05). The regression analysis revealed that sex, dream status, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score, and examination time had notable impacts on the MBG-30 min score. No statistically significant differences were observed in sedative effects, anxiety, depression, or sleep status between the two groups (P > 0.05). The incidence of injection pain and severe hypotension was significantly lower in the C group (P < 0.05), and hemodynamics and SpO2 were more stable during sedation (P < 0.05). Conclusion: There was no significant difference between propofol and ciprofol in terms of euphoria experienced by patients after sedation in patients undergoing gastroscopy. Ciprofol has demonstrated addictive potential similar to that of propofol, warranting careful attention to its addictive potential during clinical application.

Effectiveness of mobile health applications on clinical outcomes and health behaviors in patients with coronary heart disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Mobile health applications (apps) have gained significant popularity and widespread utilization among patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of mHealth apps on clinical outcomes and health behaviors in patients with CHD. Methods: Databases were searched from inception until December 2023, including Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese BioMedical Literature Service System (SinoMed), Wanfang Data, China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the effectiveness of mHealth apps in patients with CHD. Two researchers conducted a comprehensive review of the literature, extracting relevant data and evaluating each study's methodological quality separately. The meta-analysis was performed utilizing Review Manager v5.4 software. Results: A total of 34 RCTs were included, with 5,319 participants. The findings demonstrated that using mHealth apps could decrease the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (RR = 0.68, P = 0.03), readmission rate (RR = 0.56, P < 0.001), total cholesterol (WMD = -0.19, P = 0.03), total triglycerides (WMD = -0.24, P < 0.001), waist circumference (WMD = -1.92, P = 0.01), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale score (WMD = -6.70, P < 0.001), and Self-Rating Depression Scale score (WMD = -7.87, P < 0.001). They can also increase the LVEF (WMD = 6.50, P < 0.001), VO2 max (WMD = 1.89, P < 0.001), 6-min walk distance (6MWD) (WMD = 19.43, P = 0.004), Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 score (WMD = 0.96, P = 0.004), and medication adherence rate (RR = 1.24, P = 0.03). Nevertheless, there is no proof that mHealth apps can lower low-density lipoprote in cholesterol, blood pressure, BMI, or other indicator (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Mobile health apps have the potential to lower the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), readmission rates, and blood lipids in patients with CHD. They can also help enhance cardiac function, promote medication adherence, and alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. To further corroborate these results, larger-scale, multi-center RCTs with longer follow-up periods are needed.

Multifunctional Antimonene-Silver Nanocomposites for Ultra-Multi-Mode and Multi-Analyte Sensing, Parallel and Batch Logic Computing, Long-Text Information Protection.

To simulate life's emergent functions, mining the multiple sensing capabilities of nanosystems, and digitizing networks of transduction signals and molecular interactions, is an ongoing endeavor. Here, multifunctional antimonene-silver nanocomposites (AM-Ag NCs) are synthesized facilely and fused for molecular sensing and digitization applications (including ultra-multi-mode and multi-analyte sensing, parallel and batch logic computing, long-text information protection). By mixing surfactant, AM, Ag+ and Sodium borohydride (NaBH4) at room temperature for 5 min, the resulting NCs are comprised of Ag nanoparticles scattered within AM nanosheets and protected by the surfactant. Interestingly, AM-Ag NCs exhibit ultra-multi-mode sensing ability for multiplex metal ions (Hg2+, Fe3+, or Al3+), which significantly improved selectivity (≈2 times) and sensitivity (≈400 times) when analyzing the combined channels. Moreover, multiple sensing capabilities of AM-Ag NCs enable diverse batch and parallel molecular logic computations (including advanced cascaded logic circuits). Ultra-multi-mode selective patterns of AM-Ag NCs to 18 kinds of metal ions can be converted into a series of binary strings by setting the thresholds, and realized high-density, long-text information protection for the first time. This study provides new ideas and paradigms for the preparation and multi-purpose application of 2D nanocomposites, but also offers new directions for the fusion of molecular sensing and informatization.

Polarization-engineered photon statistics and its tomography via optomagnonic interaction.

Cavity optomagnonics has received considerable research interest in recent years, due to the coherent magnetic Brillioun light scattering in the ferromagnetic material. Here, we theoretically propose and numerically verify a feasible scheme for the full polarization tomography on photon statistics in an optomagnonic whispering-gallery-mode microresonator system in the weak-coupling regime. By performing the polarization pre- and post-selections to manipulate the polarization states of the input and output photons, we find that the rich sub- and super-Poissonian photon statistics can be selectively generated, thanks to quantum interferences. In the parameter space of phase delay, the evolution from photon bunching to antibunching indicates the change from phase to amplitude squeezing. Our obtained result has potential applications in tunable quantum polarized light sources based on the cavity optomagnonic platform in micro-nano scale. It also offers a deeper understanding for full quantum cavity optomagnonics.

Sesquilignans: Current research and potential prospective.

Lignans are widely distributed in nature, primarily found in the xylem and resins of plants, with the constituent units C6-C3, and their dimers are the most common in plants. In recent years, the trimeric sesquilignans have also received increasing attention from scholars. More than 200 derivatives have been isolated and identified from nearly 50 families, most of which are different types (monoepoxy lignans, bisepoxy lignans, benzofuran lignans) connected with simple phenylpropanoids through ether bonds, C-C bonds, and oxygen-containing rings to constitute sesquilignans. Some of them also possess pharmacological properties, including antioxidants, hepatoprotectives, antitumors, anti-inflammatory properties, and other properties. In addition, the chemical structure of sesquilignans is closely related to the pharmacological activity, and chemical modification of methoxylation enhances the pharmacological activity. In contrast, phenolic hydroxyl and hydroxyl glycosides reduce the pharmacological activity. Therefore, the present review aims to summarize the chemical diversity, bioactivities, and constitutive relationships to provide a theoretical basis for the more profound development and utilization of sesquilignans.

Determining cut-off values and predictors for the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale: comparison between clinical and school settings.

BACKGROUND: Few previous studies have established Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) cut-off values using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and applied these values to compare predictors of anhedonia between clinical and nonclinical groups. AIMS: To determine the optimal cut-off values for the SHAPS and use them to identify predictors of anhedonia in clinical and nonclinical groups in Taiwan. METHOD: This cross-sectional and correlational study used convenience sampling to recruit 160 patients from three hospitals and 412 students from two universities in northern Taiwan. Data analysis included receiver operating characteristic curve, univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The optimal SHAPS cut-off values were 29.5 and 23.5 for the clinical and nonclinical groups, respectively. Moreover, two-stage analysis revealed that participants in the clinical group who perceived themselves as nondepressed, and participants in the nonclinical group who did not skip classes and whose fathers exhibited higher levels of care and protection were less likely to attain the cut-off values. Conversely, participants in the nonclinical group who reported lower academic satisfaction and were unwilling to seek help from family or friends were more likely to attain the cut-off values. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the importance of optimal cut-off values in screening for depression risk within clinical and nonclinical groups. Accordingly, the development of comprehensive, individualised programmes to monitor variation trends in SHAPS scores and relevant predictors of anhedonia across different target populations is crucial.

Schisandrol A, the Major Active Constitute in Schisandra chinensis: A Review of Its Preparation, Biological Activities, and Pharmacokinetics Analysis.

Schisandra chinensis (S. chinensis) has a long history as a traditional Chinese medicine that is astringent, beneficial to vital energy, tonifies the kidney, tranquilizes the heart, etc. Significantly, Schisandrol A (SA) is extracted from S. chinensis and shows surprising and satisfactory biological activity, including anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, cardiovascular protection, and antitumor properties, among others. SA has a more pronounced protective effect on central damaged nerves among its numerous pharmacological effects, improving neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's through the protection of damaged nerve cells and the enhancement of anti-oxidant capacity. Pharmacokinetic studies have shown that SA has a pharmacokinetic profile with a rapid absorption, wide distribution, maximal concentration in the liver, and primarily renal excretion. However, hepatic and intestinal first-pass metabolism can affect SA's bioavailability. In addition, the content of SA, as an index component of S. chinensis Pharmacopoeia, should not be less than 0.40%, and the content of SA in S. chinensis compound formula was determined with the help of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), which is a stable and reliable method, and it can lay a foundation for the subsequent quality control. Therefore, this paper systematically reviews the preparation, pharmacological effects, pharmacokinetic properties, and content determination of SA with the goal of updating and deepening the understanding of SA, as well as providing a theoretical basis for the study of SA at a later stage.

Obesity paradox of cardiovascular mortality in older adults in the United States: A cohort study using 1997-2018 National Health Interview Survey data linked with the National Death Index.

BACKGROUND: Large-scale, population-based investigations primarily investigating the association between body mass index (BMI) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality among older and younger adults in the United States (U.S.) are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between BMI and CVD mortality in older (≥65 years) and younger (<65 years) adults and to identify the nadir for CVD mortality. DESIGN: This cohort study used serial cross-sectional data from the 1997 to 2018 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) linked with the National Death Index. NHIS is an annual nationally representative household interview survey of the civilian noninstitutionalized U.S. SETTING: Residential units of the civilian noninstitutionalized population in the U.S. PARTICIPANTS: The target population for the NHIS is the civilian noninstitutionalized U.S. population at the time of the interview. We included all adults who had BMI data collected at 18 years and older and with mortality data being available. To minimize the risk of reverse causality, we excluded adults whose survival time was ≤2 years of follow-up after their initial BMI was recorded and those with prevalent cancer and/or CVD at baseline. METHODS: We used the BMI record obtained in the year of the NHIS survey. Total CVD mortality used the NHIS data linked to the latest National Death Index data from the survey inception to December 31, 2019. We performed multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: The study included 425,394 adults; the mean (SD) age was 44 (16.7) years. During a median follow-up period of 11 years, 12,089 CVD-related deaths occurred. In older adults, having overweight was associated with a lower risk of CVD mortality (aHR 0.92 [95 % CI, 0.87-0.97]); having class I obesity (1.04 [0.97-1.12]) and class II obesity (1.12 [1.00-1.26]) was not significantly associated with an increased CVD mortality; and having class III obesity was associated with an increased risk of CVD mortality (1.63 [1.35-1.98]), in comparison with adults who had a normal BMI. Yet, in younger adults, having overweight, class I, II, and III obesity was associated with a progressively higher risk of CVD mortality. The nadir for CVD mortality is 28.2 kg/m2 in older adults and 23.6 kg/m2 in younger adults. CONCLUSION: This U.S. population-based cohort study highlights the significance of considering age as a crucial factor when providing recommendations and delivering self-care educational initiatives for weight loss to reduce CVD mortality.

Hepatic IRE1α-XBP1 signaling promotes GDF15-mediated anorexia and body weight loss in chemotherapy.

Platinum-based chemotherapy drugs can lead to the development of anorexia, a detrimental effect on the overall health of cancer patients. However, managing chemotherapy-induced anorexia and subsequent weight loss remains challenging due to limited effective therapeutic strategies. Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) has recently gained significant attention in the context of chemotherapy-induced anorexia. Here, we report that hepatic GDF15 plays a crucial role in regulating body weight in response to chemo drugs cisplatin and doxorubicin. Cisplatin and doxorubicin treatments induce hepatic Gdf15 expression and elevate circulating GDF15 levels, leading to hunger suppression and subsequent weight loss. Mechanistically, selective activation by chemotherapy of hepatic IRE1α-XBP1 pathway of the unfolded protein response (UPR) upregulates Gdf15 expression. Genetic and pharmacological inactivation of IRE1α is sufficient to ameliorate chemotherapy-induced anorexia and body weight loss. These results identify hepatic IRE1α as a molecular driver of GDF15-mediated anorexia and suggest that blocking IRE1α RNase activity offers a therapeutic strategy to alleviate the adverse anorexia effects in chemotherapy.

Machine learning and weighted gene co-expression network analysis identify a three-gene signature to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic immune-related disease characterized by synovial inflammation and destruction of joint cartilage. The pathogenesis of RA remains unclear, and diagnostic markers with high sensitivity and specificity are needed urgently. This study aims to identify potential biomarkers in the synovium for diagnosing RA and to investigate their association with immune infiltration. Methods: We downloaded four datasets containing 51 RA and 36 healthy synovium samples from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes were identified using R. Then, various enrichment analyses were conducted. Subsequently, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), random forest (RF), support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE), and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were used to identify the hub genes for RA diagnosis. Receiver operating characteristic curves and nomogram models were used to validate the specificity and sensitivity of hub genes. Additionally, we analyzed the infiltration levels of 28 immune cells in the expression profile and their relationship with the hub genes using single-sample gene set enrichment analysis. Results: Three hub genes, namely, ribonucleotide reductase regulatory subunit M2 (RRM2), DLG-associated protein 5 (DLGAP5), and kinesin family member 11 (KIF11), were identified through WGCNA, LASSO, SVM-RFE, and RF algorithms. These hub genes correlated strongly with T cells, natural killer cells, and macrophage cells as indicated by immune cell infiltration analysis. Conclusion: RRM2, DLGAP5, and KIF11 could serve as potential diagnostic indicators and treatment targets for RA. The infiltration of immune cells offers additional insights into the underlying mechanisms involved in the progression of RA.

E-M349E and NS2A/2B-P1(T) are compensatory mutations of rDTMUV-NS2AB-P1P1'(AA), which regain virus proliferation by enhancing the virus package and restoring NS2A/2B cleavage.

Duck Tembusu virus (DTMUV) belongs to the Flaviviridae family and mainly infects ducks. The genome of DTMUV is translated into a polyprotein, which is further cleaved into several protein by viral NS2B3 protease and host proteases. Crucially, the cleavage of the NS2A/2B precursor during this process is essential for the formation of replication complexes and viral packaging. Previous research has demonstrated that alanine mutations in NS2A/2B (P1P1' (AA)) result in an attenuated strain (rDTMUV-NS2A/2B-P1P1' (AA)) by disrupting NS2A/2B cleavage. In this study, we investigate the effects of the P1P1' (AA) mutation on the viral life cycle and explore compensatory mutations in rDTMUV-NS2A/2B-P1P1' (AA). Infected ducklings exhibit similar body weight gain and viral tissue loads to DTMUV-WT. Compensatory mutations E-M349E and P1(T) emerge, restoring proliferation levels to those of rDTMUV-WT. Specifically, E-M349E enhances viral packaging, while P1(T) reinstates NS2A/2B proteolysis in vitro. Thus, our findings reveal novel compensatory sites capable of restoring the attenuated DTMUV during polyprotein cleavage and packaging.

Associations between postoperative cognitive dysfunction, serum interleukin-6 and postoperative delirium among patients after coronary artery bypass grafting: A mediation analysis.

BACKGROUND: POCD is a common complication among patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), it is linked to loss of independence and reduced quality of life. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), postoperative delirium (POD) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. METHODS: Patients who underwent elective isolated CABG were enrolled. POCD was assessed by a set of cognitive function tools. Delirium was assessed using the CAM-ICU. The logistic regression analyses were used to identify the predictive value of POD or IL-6 on POCD. The path analysis was used to analyse the relationship among POD, IL-6 and POCD. RESULTS: A total of 212 patients were enrolled, with 25.0% of patients developing POD and 32.5% developing POCD. The multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that patients with POD had a four-fold increased hazard of POCD (OR = 3.655), and patients with IL-6 ≥ 830.50 pg/mL at the 6th hours after surgery had a 5-fold increased risk of experiencing POCD (OR = 5.042). However, the mediation effect of POD between IL-6 and POCD was not statistically significant (ß = 0.059, p = .392). CONCLUSIONS: POD and IL-6 at the 6th hour after surgery (≥830.50 pg/mL) are two potent predictors for POCD, while POD did not play a mediation effect between IL-6 and POCD. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Early identification of risk factors (e.g., delirium assessment and testing for serum IL-6 levels) by clinical nurses for POCD may contribute to the clinical practice for the targeted prevention nursing strategies.

Augmin complex activity finetunes dendrite morphology through non-centrosomal microtubule nucleation in vivo.

During development, neurons achieve a stereotyped neuron type-specific morphology, which relies on dynamic support by microtubules (MTs). An important player is the augmin complex (hereafter augmin), which binds to existing MT filaments and recruits the γ-tubulin ring complex (γ-TuRC), to form branched MTs. In cultured neurons, augmin is important for neurite formation. However, little is known about the role of augmin during neurite formation in vivo. Here, we have revisited the role of mammalian augmin in culture and then turned towards the class four Drosophila dendritic arborization (c4da) neurons. We show that MT density is maintained through augmin in cooperation with the γ-TuRC in vivo. Mutant c4da neurons show a reduction of newly emerging higher-order dendritic branches and in turn also a reduced number of their characteristic space-filling higher-order branchlets. Taken together, our data reveal a cooperative function for augmin with the γ-TuRC in forming enough MTs needed for the appropriate differentiation of morphologically complex dendrites in vivo.

Multiple functions of the nonstructural protein 3D in picornavirus infection.

3D polymerase, also known as RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, is encoded by all known picornaviruses, and their structures are highly conserved. In the process of picornavirus replication, 3D polymerase facilitates the assembly of replication complexes and directly catalyzes the synthesis of viral RNA. The nuclear localization signal carried by picornavirus 3D polymerase, combined with its ability to interact with other viral proteins, viral RNA and cellular proteins, indicate that its noncatalytic role is equally important in viral infections. Recent studies have shown that 3D polymerase has multiple effects on host cell biological functions, including inducing cell cycle arrest, regulating host cell translation, inducing autophagy, evading immune responses, and triggering inflammasome formation. Thus, 3D polymerase would be a very valuable target for the development of antiviral therapies. This review summarizes current studies on the structure of 3D polymerase and its regulation of host cell responses, thereby improving the understanding of picornavirus-mediated pathogenesis caused by 3D polymerase.

A methodological review of compound-specific radiocarbon analysis for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in environmental matrices.

Identifying the sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in complex environmental matrices is essential for understanding the impact of combustion-related human activities on the environment. Since the turn of the century, advances in analytical capability and accuracy of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) have made it possible to accurately determine the source apportionment of PAHs based on their radiocarbon (14C) mass conservation. This also allows us to trace the environmental transport processes of PAHs from the perspective of molecular 14C. However, natural environmental matrices have very low concentrations of PAHs (ppb to ppm level). To meet the requirements of carbon weight for 14C measurement by AMS, trace PAHs in complex environmental matrices must be enriched thousands of times, and then higher purity individual PAH molecules should be obtained through a series of complex purification procedures. Therefore, the technical difficulty is the main challenge in expanding the application of compound-specific 14C analysis in environmental science. This article reviews the detailed pretreatment procedures for 14C measurement of specific PAHs, including sample enrichment, extraction and purification of aromatic components, preparation of compound-specific PAHs by preparative capillary gas chromatography, graphitization of samples with ultra-small carbon content, and relevant quality control and assurance procedures. This study aims to help environmental geoscientists understand the technical process of 14C analysis of PAHs and inspire new scientific questions related to environmental science. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive review of the technical method of compound-specific 14C analysis for PAHs.

Enhancing engagement and learning in advanced biochemistry through the application of flow theory.

This study identified a lackluster classroom atmosphere in advanced biochemistry, characterized by low levels of active student participation in interactive communication and subpar quality of after-class learning tasks. The issues stemmed not only from students' learning attitudes, such as insufficient attention to the curriculum, but also from the course's inherent lack of challenge. Employing flow theory, we optimized teaching content, enhanced course difficulty, reformed assessment methods, and incorporated information-based teaching tools to redesign the instructional process. Through a questionnaire survey, students evaluated teaching effectiveness after implementation of the changes: a majority expressed satisfaction with the moderate difficulty of the course and enjoyment of the classroom instruction, and reported experiencing positive emotional flow. Peer experts commended the course, noting its lively atmosphere and the students' acquisition of both basic research methods and foundational knowledge. The findings will be used to continually enhance graduate students' innovation abilities and sense of achievement through ongoing reforms.