Introgression of chromosome 5P from Agropyron cristatum enhances grain weight in a wheat background.

KEY MESSAGE: A grain weight locus from Agropyron cristatum chromosome 5P increases grain weight in different wheat backgrounds and is localized to 5PL (bin 7-12). Thousand-grain weight is an important trait in wheat breeding, with a narrow genetic basis being the main factor limiting improvement. Agropyron cristatum, a wild relative of wheat, harbors many desirable genes for wheat improvement. Here, we found that the introduction of the 5P chromosome from A. cristatum into wheat significantly increased the thousand-grain weight by 2.55-7.10 g, and grain length was the main contributor to grain weight. An increase in grain weight was demonstrated in two commercial wheat varieties, indicating that the grain weight locus was not affected by the wheat background. To identify the chromosome segment harboring the grain weight locus, three A. cristatum 5P deletion lines, two wheat-A. cristatum 5P translocation lines and genetic populations of these lines were used to evaluate agronomic traits. We found that the translocation lines harboring the long arm of A. cristatum chromosome 5P (5PL) exhibited high grain weight and grain length, and the genetic locus associated with increased grain weight was mapped to 5PL (bin 7-12). An increase in grain weight did not adversely affect other agronomic traits in translocation line 5PT2, which is a valuable germplasm resource. Overall, we identified a grain weight locus from chromosome 5PL and provided valuable germplasm for improving wheat grain weight.

A remote-controlled portable workstation for highly sensitive and real-time chemiluminescent detection of cadmium.

The prevention of pollution requires real-time monitoring of cadmium (Cd2+) concentration in the food, as it has a dramatic impact on poultry and can pose a threat to human health. Here, we fabricate a portable workstation integrating a microfluidic chip that facilitates real-time monitoring of Cd2+ levels in real samples by utilizing the Luminol-KMnO4 chemiluminescence (CL) system. Interestingly, Cd2+ can significantly enhance the CL signal, resulting in sensitive detection of Cd2+ in the range of 0-0.18 mg/L with the limit of detection (LOD) of 0.207 µg/L. Furthermore, a remote-controlled unit is integrated into the portable workstation to form a remote-controlled portable workstation (RCPW) performing automated point-of-care testing (POCT) of Cd2+. The as-prepared strategy allows remote control of RCPW to avoid long-distance transportation of samples to achieve real-time target monitoring. Consequently, this system furnishes RCPW for monitoring Cd2+ levels in real samples, thereby holding potential for applications in preventing food pollution.

Enhancing the effectiveness of Polymyxin E with a Fisetin Nanoemulsion against a Colistin-resistant Salmonella typhimurium infection.

BACKGROUND: Polymyxin E is widely recognized as a last resort for treating multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of polymyxin E is significantly reduced when treating life-threatening bacterial infections due to plasmid-mediated polymyxin E resistance. The synergistic effect of applying a polymyxin E adjuvant is a promising strategy for overcoming the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. PURPOSE: To evaluate the synergistic effect of fisetin and polymyxin E on S. typhimurium infections in vivo and further elucidate the underlying mechanism of this effect. METHODS: The effect of combining fisetin and polymyxin E to treat mobilized colistin resistance-1-positive (MCR-1-positive) gram-negative bacteria in vitro was examined using various methods, such as checkerboard assays, growth curves and time‒kill curves. To elucidate the mechanism by which fisetin affects MCR-1, we employed ultraviolet (UV) absorption spectroscopy, thin layer chromatography (TLC), and western blot analysis to investigate its effect at the protein level. Subsequently, molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) and metabolomics analysis were utilized to determine the site of interaction between fisetin and MCR-1 as well as the potential pathways and mechanisms involved. A new nanoemulsion of fisetin was produced using high-pressure homogenization, and its stability was tested. Finally, two animal models of S. typhimurium HYM2 infection were established to evaluate the synergistic effect of polymyxin E and fisetin in vivo. RESULTS: Our study revealed that fisetin exhibited a synergistic effect when combined with polymyxin E against MCR-1-positive S. typhimurium. The TLC results demonstrated that fisetin could inhibit the phosphoethanolamine (PEA) transfer of the MCR-1 protein, thereby restoring the activity of polymyxin E in strains against MCR-1. The MDS analysis indicated robust and immediate binding between fisetin and the MCR-1 protein, with both hydrophobic and polar effects playing significant roles in determining the binding energy of the former. Metabolomic studies demonstrated that the addition of fisetin significantly modulated bacterial metabolites. Moreover, it effectively inhibited the activity of ABC transporters in bacteria, thereby mitigating bacterial drug resistance and enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of polymyxin E. Furthermore, in mouse and chick models of infection, intragastric administration of the fisetin nanoemulsion together with polymyxin E resulted in significant therapeutic benefits, including increased survival rates, reduced bacterial colonization, and decreased levels of inflammatory factors. CONCLUSION: Fisetin, an MCR-1 inhibitor and a promising synergistic partner of polymyxin E, has significant potential for clinical application in the treatment of S. typhimurium infections, particularly those resulting extensively from drug-resistant MCR-1-positive strains.

PemK's Arg24 is a crucial residue for PemIK toxin-antitoxin system to induce the persistence of Weissella cibaria against ciprofloxacin stress.

The toxin-antitoxin (TA) system plays a key role in bacteria escaping antibiotic stress with persistence, however, the mechanisms by which persistence is controlled remain poorly understood. Weissella cibaria, a novel probiotic, can enters a persistent state upon encountering ciprofloxacin stress. Conversely, it resumes from the persistence when ciprofloxacin stress is relieved or removed. Here, it was found that PemIK TA system played a role in transitioning between these two states. And the PemIK was consisted of PemK, an endonuclease toxic to mRNA, and antitoxin PemI which neutralized its toxicity. The PemK specifically cleaved the U↓AUU in mRNA encoding enzymes involved in glycolysis, TCA cycle and respiratory chain pathways. This cleavage event subsequently disrupted the crucial cellular processes such as hydrogen transfer, electron transfer, NADH and FADH2 synthesis, ultimately leading to a decrease in ATP levels and an increase in membrane depolarization and persister frequency. Notably, Arg24 was a critical active residue for PemK, its mutation significantly reduced the mRNA cleavage activity and the adverse effects on metabolism. These insights provided a clue to comprehensively understand the mechanism by which PemIK induced the persistence of W. cibaria to escape ciprofloxacin stress, thereby highlighting another novel aspect PemIK respond for antibiotic stress.

Noninvasive models for the prediction of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of aspartate aminotransferase(AST)/ alanine transaminase (ALT), AST to platelet ratio index (APRI), fibrosis-4 score (FIB-4) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase to platelet count ratio (GPR) for hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). METHODS: A total of 1210 CHB patients who underwent liver biopsy were divided into two groups: patients with no significant fibrosis (control group) and patients with significant fibrosis, and routine laboratory tests were retrospectively included. Logistic regression models were used for the prediction, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) was used to assess the diagnostic accuracy. RESULTS: A total of 631 (52.1%) and 275 (22.7%) patients had significant fibrosis (≥ S2) and advanced fibrosis (≥ S3), respectively. The GPR showed significantly higher diagnostic accuracy than that of APRI, FiB-4, and AST/ALT to predict ≥ S2(significant fibrosis) and ≥ S3 fibrosis(advanced fibrosis), with an AUROC was 0.69 (95%CI: 0.66-0.71) and 0.72 (0.69-0.75), respectively. After stratified by the status of HBeAg ( positive or negative), GPR, APRI, and FiB-4 showed improved predicting performance for significant fibrosis and advanced fibrosis in HBeAg positive patients, with the most significant improvement was shown for GPR in predicting significant fibrosis (AUROC = 0.74, 95%CI: 0.70-0.78). CONCLUSIONS: Among the four noninvasive models, GPR has the best performance in the diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis in CHB patients and is more valuable in HBeAg-positive patients.

A High-Entropy Single-Atom Catalyst Toward Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Acidic and Alkaline Conditions.

The design of high-entropy single-atom catalysts (HESAC) with 5.2 times higher entropy compared to single-atom catalysts (SAC) is proposed, by using four different metals (FeCoNiRu-HESAC) for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Fe active sites with intermetallic distances of 6.1 Å exhibit a low ORR overpotential of 0.44 V, which originates from weakening the adsorption of OH intermediates. Based on density functional theory (DFT) findings, the FeCoNiRu-HESAC with a nitrogen-doped sample were synthesized. The atomic structures are confirmed with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray absorption (XAS), and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). The predicted high catalytic activity is experimentally verified, finding that FeCoNiRu-HESAC has overpotentials of 0.41 and 0.37 V with Tafel slopes of 101 and 210 mVdec-1 at the current density of 1 mA cm-2 and the kinetic current densities of 8.2 and 5.3 mA cm-2, respectively, in acidic and alkaline electrolytes. These results are comparable with Pt/C. The FeCoNiRu-HESAC is used for Zinc-air battery applications with an open circuit potential of 1.39 V and power density of 0.16 W cm-2. Therefore, a strategy guided by DFT is provided for the rational design of HESAC which can be replaced with high-cost Pt catalysts toward ORR and beyond.

Chip-based automated equipment for dual-mode point-of-care testing foodborne pathogens.

Foodborne pathogens have a substantial bearing on food safety and environmental health. The development of automated, portable and compact devices is essential for the on-site and rapid point-of-care testing (POCT) of bacteria. Here, this work developed a micro-automated microfluidic device for detecting bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7, using a seashell-like microfluidic chip (SMC) as an analysis and mixing platform. The automated device integrates a colorimetric/fluorescent system for the metabolism of copper (Cu2+) by E. coli affecting o-phenylenediamine (OPD) for concentration analysis. A smartphone was used to read the RGB data of the chip reaction reservoir to detect colorimetric and fluorescence patterns in the concentration range of 102-106 CFU mL-1. The automated device overcomes the low efficiency and tedious steps of traditional detection and enables high-precision automated detection that can be applied to POCT in the field, providing an ideal solution for broadening the application of E. coli detection.

Rupture-Related Features of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations and Their Utility in Predicting Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Evaluating rupture risk in cerebral arteriovenous malformations currently lacks quantitative hemodynamic and angioarchitectural features necessary for predicting subsequent hemorrhage. We aimed to derive rupture-related hemodynamic and angioarchitectural features of arteriovenous malformations and construct an ensemble model for predicting subsequent hemorrhage. METHODS: This retrospective study included 3 data sets, as follows: training and test data sets comprising consecutive patients with untreated cerebral arteriovenous malformations who were admitted from January 2015 to June 2022 and a validation data set comprising patients with unruptured arteriovenous malformations who received conservative treatment between January 2009 and December 2014. We extracted rupture-related features and developed logistic regression (clinical features), decision tree (hemodynamic features), and support vector machine (angioarchitectural features) models. These 3 models were combined into an ensemble model using a weighted soft-voting strategy. The performance of the models in discriminating ruptured arteriovenous malformations and predicting subsequent hemorrhage was evaluated with confusion matrix-related metrics in the test and validation data sets. RESULTS: A total of 896 patients (mean±SD age, 28±14 years; 404 women) were evaluated, with 632, 158, and 106 patients in the training, test, and validation data sets, respectively. From the training set, 9 clinical, 10 hemodynamic, and 2912 pixel-based angioarchitectural features were extracted. A logistic regression model was built using 4 selected clinical features (age, nidus size, location, and venous aneurysm), whereas a decision-tree model was constructed from 4 hemodynamic features (outflow time, stasis index, cerebral blood flow, and outflow volume ratio). A support vector machine model was designed using 5 pixel-based angioarchitectural features. In the validation data set, the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve of the ensemble model for predicting subsequent hemorrhages were 0.840, 0.889, 0.823, and 0.911, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The ensemble model incorporating clinical, hemodynamic, and angioarchitectural features showed favorable performance in predicting subsequent hemorrhage of cerebral arteriovenous malformations.

An MRI radiomics approach to discriminate hemorrhage prone intracranial tumors before stereotactic biopsy.

PURPOSE: To explore imaging biomarkers predictive of intratumoral hemorrhage for lesions intended for elective stereotactic biopsy. METHOD: This study included a retrospective cohort of 143 patients with 175 intracranial lesions intended for stereotactic biopsy. All the lesions were randomly split into a training dataset (n=121) and a test dataset (n=54) at a ratio of 7:3. 34 lesions were defined as "hemorrhage-prone tumors" as hemorrhage occurred between initial diagnostic MRI acquisition and the scheduled biopsy procedure. Radiomics features were extracted from the contrast-enhanced T1WI and T2WI images. Features informative of hemorrhage were then selected by the LASSO algorithm and an SVM model was built with selected features. The SVM model was further simplified by discarding features with low importance calculated using a "permutation importance" method. The model's performance was evaluated with confusion matrix-derived metrics and AUC value on the independent test dataset. RESULTS: Nine radiomics features were selected as hemorrhage related features of intracranial tumors by the LASSO algorithm. The simplified model's sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and AUC reached 0.909, 0.930, 0.926, and 0.949 (95%CI: 0.865-1.000) on the test dataset in the discrimination of "hemorrhage-prone tumors". The permutation method rated feature "T2_gradient_firstorder_10Percentile" as the most important, the absence of which decreased the model's accuracy by 10.9%. CONCLUSION: Radiomics features extracted on contrast-enhanced T1WI and T2WI sequences were predictive of future hemorrhage of intracranial tumors with favorable accuracy. This model may assist in the arrangement of biopsy procedures and the selection of target lesions in patients with multiple lesions.

Predicting postinterventional rupture of intracranial aneurysms using arteriography-derived radiomic features after pipeline embolization.

Background and purpose: Postinterventional rupture of intracranial aneurysms (IAs) remains a severe complication after flow diverter treatment. However, potential hemodynamic mechanisms underlying independent predictors for postinterventional rupture of IAs remain unclear. In this study, we employed arteriography-derived radiomic features to predict this complication. Methods: We included 64 patients who underwent pipeline flow diversion for intracranial aneurysms, distinguishing between 16 patients who experienced postinterventional rupture and 48 who did not. We performed propensity score matching based on clinical and morphological factors to match these patients with 48 patients with postinterventional unruptured IAs at a 1:3 ratio. Postinterventional digital subtraction angiography were used to create five arteriography-derived perfusion parameter maps and then radiomics features were obtained from each map. Informative features were selected through the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method with five-fold cross-validation. Subsequently, radiomics scores were formulated to predict the occurrence of postinterventional IA ruptures. Prediction performance was evaluated with the training and test datasets using area under the curve (AUC) and confusion matrix-derived metrics. Results: Overall, 1,459 radiomics features were obtained, and six were selected. The resulting radiomics scores had high efficacy in distinguishing the postinterventional rupture group. The AUC and Youden index were 0.912 (95% confidence interval: 0.767-1.000) and 0.847 for the training dataset, respectively, and 0.938 (95% confidence interval, 0.806-1.000) and 0.800 for the testing dataset, respectively. Conclusion: Radiomics scores generated using arteriography-derived radiomic features effectively predicted postinterventional IA ruptures and may aid in differentiating IAs at high risk of postinterventional rupture.

Characterization of Two Gonadal Genes, zar1 and wt1b, in Hermaphroditic Fish Asian Seabass (Lates calcarifer).

Zygote arrest-1 (Zar1) and Wilms' tumor 1 (Wt1) play an important role in oogenesis, with the latter also involved in testicular development and gender differentiation. Here, Lczar1 and Lcwt1b were identified in Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer), a hermaphrodite fish, as the valuable model for studying sex differentiation. The cloned cDNA fragments of Lczar1 were 1192 bp, encoding 336 amino acids, and contained a zinc-binding domain, while those of Lcwt1b cDNA were 1521 bp, encoding a peptide of 423 amino acids with a Zn finger domain belonging to Wt1b family. RT-qPCR analysis showed that Lczar1 mRNA was exclusively expressed in the ovary, while Lcwt1b mRNA was majorly expressed in the gonads in a higher amount in the testis than in the ovary. In situ hybridization results showed that Lczar1 mRNA was mainly concentrated in oogonia and oocytes at early stages in the ovary, but were undetectable in the testis. Lcwt1b mRNA was localized not only in gonadal somatic cells (the testis and ovary), but also in female and male germ cells in the early developmental stages, such as those of previtellogenic oocytes, spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids. These results indicated that Lczar1 and Lcwt1b possibly play roles in gonadal development. Therefore, the findings of this study will provide a basis for clarifying the mechanism of Lczar1 and Lcwt1b in regulating germ cell development and the sex reversal of Asian seabass and even other hermaphroditic species.

Prediction of Venous Trans-Stenotic Pressure Gradient Using Shape Features Derived From Magnetic Resonance Venography in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a condition of unknown etiology associated with venous sinus stenosis. This study aimed to develop a magnetic resonance venography (MRV)-based radiomics model for predicting a high trans-stenotic pressure gradient (TPG) in IIH patients diagnosed with venous sinus stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 105 IIH patients (median age [interquartile range], 35 years [27-42 years]; female:male, 82:23) who underwent MRV and catheter venography complemented by venous manometry. Contrast enhanced-MRV was conducted under 1.5 Tesla system, and the images were reconstructed using a standard algorithm. Shape features were derived from MRV images via the PyRadiomics package and selected by utilizing the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method. A radiomics score for predicting high TPG (≥ 8 mmHg) in IIH patients was formulated using multivariable logistic regression; its discrimination performance was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). A nomogram was constructed by incorporating the radiomics scores and clinical features. RESULTS: Data from 105 patients were randomly divided into two distinct datasets for model training (n = 73; 50 and 23 with and without high TPG, respectively) and testing (n = 32; 22 and 10 with and without high TPG, respectively). Three informative shape features were identified in the training datasets: least axis length, sphericity, and maximum three-dimensional diameter. The radiomics score for predicting high TPG in IIH patients demonstrated an AUROC of 0.906 (95% confidence interval, 0.836-0.976) in the training dataset and 0.877 (95% confidence interval, 0.755-0.999) in the test dataset. The nomogram showed good calibration. CONCLUSION: Our study presents the feasibility of a novel model for predicting high TPG in IIH patients using radiomics analysis of noninvasive MRV-based shape features. This information may aid clinicians in identifying patients who may benefit from stenting.

Urinary Endometriosis Misdiagnosed as Ureteral Malignant Tumor by PET/CT: A Case Study.

ABSTRACT: Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory estrogen-dependent benign disease. It is defined as the endometrium growing outside the uterine cavity and the myometrium. It usually has low FDG uptake but rarely occurs in the ureters. We reported a case of a 47-year-old woman's left ureteral nodule originally misdiagnosed as a ureteral malignant tumor by PET/CT and finally pathologically confirmed as endometriosis.

Retrograde placement of flow diversion for the treatment of giant internal carotid artery aneurysm.

The use of flow diverters has been well-validated for the treatment of giant internal carotid artery aneurysms. However, in certain complex cases, the navigation of stent microcatheters across the neck may pose a relative challenge.1-3 In this technical video (video 1), we present the case of a patient in their 50s experiencing discomfort in the left eye. Angiography identified a giant aneurysm in the ophthalmic segment of the left internal carotid artery. Before seeking care at our institution, the patient had two interventional procedures, both unsuccessful due to difficulties in navigating the microcatheter past the aneurysm neck.4-5 In our management, after multiple unsuccessful anterograde attempts, we employed a retrograde strategy via the vertebral-basilar-posterior communicating artery route. This approach facilitated the successful deployment of the flow diverter and led to effective aneurysm embolization, underscoring the value of retrograde techniques for challenging cases.

Localized high-concentration electrolytes get more localized through micelle-like structures.

Liquid electrolytes in batteries are typically treated as macroscopically homogeneous ionic transport media despite having a complex chemical composition and atomistic solvation structures, leaving a knowledge gap of the microstructural characteristics. Here, we reveal a unique micelle-like structure in a localized high-concentration electrolyte, in which the solvent acts as a surfactant between an insoluble salt in a diluent. The miscibility of the solvent with the diluent and simultaneous solubility of the salt results in a micelle-like structure with a smeared interface and an increased salt concentration at the centre of the salt-solvent clusters that extends the salt solubility. These intermingling miscibility effects have temperature dependencies, wherein a typical localized high-concentration electrolyte peaks in localized cluster salt concentration near room temperature and is used to form a stable solid-electrolyte interphase on a Li metal anode. These findings serve as a guide to predicting a stable ternary phase diagram and connecting the electrolyte microstructure with electrolyte formulation and formation protocols of solid-electrolyte interphases for enhanced battery cyclability.

High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging-based radiomic features aid in selecting endovascular candidates among patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.

OBJECTIVES: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) can cause sinus obstruction and stenosis, with potentially fatal consequences. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) can diagnose CVST qualitatively, although quantitative screening methods are lacking for patients refractory to anticoagulation therapy and who may benefit from endovascular treatment (EVT). Thus, in this study, we used radiomic features (RFs) extracted from HRMRI to build machine learning models to predict response to drug therapy and determine the appropriateness of EVT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RFs were extracted from three-dimensional T1-weighted motion-sensitized driven equilibrium (MSDE), T2-weighted MSDE, T1-contrast, and T1-contrast MSDE sequences to build radiomic signatures and support vector machine (SVM) models for predicting the efficacy of standard drug therapy and the necessity of EVT. RESULTS: We retrospectively included 53 patients with CVST in a prospective cohort study, among whom 14 underwent EVT after standard drug therapy failed. Thirteen RFs were selected to construct the RF signature and CVST-SVM models. In the validation dataset, the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve performance for the RF signature model were 0.833, 0.937, and 0.977, respectively. The radiomic score was correlated with days from symptom onset, history of dyslipidemia, smoking, fibrin degradation product, and D-dimer levels. The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve for the CVST-SVM model in the validation set were 0.917, 0.969, and 0.992, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The CVST-SVM model trained with RFs extracted from HRMRI outperformed the RF signature model and could aid physicians in predicting patient responses to drug treatment and identifying those who may require EVT.

Quantitative evaluation of the subsequent hemorrhage with arteriography-derived hemodynamic features in patients with untreated cerebral arteriovenous malformation.

Background: Patients with untreated cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are at risk of intracerebral hemorrhage. However, treatment to prevent AVM hemorrhage carries risks. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the AVM nidus-related hemodynamic features and identify the risk factors for subsequent hemorrhage. Methods: We retrospectively identified patients with untreated AVMs who were assessed at our institution between March 2010 and March 2021. Patients with ≥6 months of treatment-free and hemorrhage-free follow-up after diagnosed by digital subtraction angiography were included in subsequent examinations. The hemodynamic features were extracted from five contrast flow-related parameter maps. The Kaplan-Meier analyses and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to find the potential risk factors for subsequent hemorrhage. Results: Overall, 104 patients with a mean follow-up duration of 3.37 years (median, 2.42 years; range, 6-117 months) were included in study, and the annual risk of rupture was 3.7%. Previous rupture (hazard ratio [HR], 4.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16-20.72), deep AVM location (HR, 4.02; 95% CI, 1.01-15.99), higher cerebral blood volume (HR, 3.35; 95% CI, 1.15-9.74) in the nidus, and higher stasis index (HR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.06-2.24) in the nidus were associated with subsequent hemorrhage in untreated AVMs. Conclusion: Higher cerebral blood volume and stasis index in the nidus suggest increased blood inflow and stagnant blood drainage. The combination of these factors may cause subsequent hemorrhage of AVMs.

Correction: Voltammetric pH sensor based on electrochemically modified pseudo-graphite.

Correction for 'Voltammetric pH sensor based on electrochemically modified pseudo-graphite' by Haoyu Zhu et al., Analyst, 2020, 145, 7252-7259, https://doi.org/10.1039/D0AN01405B.

[Biochar or Straw Substituting Chemical Fertilizer Increase the Risk of Phosphorus Loss in Subsurface Runoff in Sloping Farmland].

The purple soil slope farmland is an important agricultural land in southwest China but is also one of the main sources of agricultural non-point source pollution in the Three Gorges Reservoir area. Taking reasonable measures to control the loss of soil nutrients is of great significance to the treatment of non-point source pollution in the region. Here, a three-year (2018-2020) field runoff experiment was conducted to monitor and evaluate the phosphorus (P) loss in sloping farmland via surface runoff (i.e., surface flow, 0-20 cm) and subsurface runoff (i.e., subsurface flow, 20-60 cm), with five treatments including no fertilization (CK), conventional fertilization (CF), optimal fertilization (OF), biochar combined with 85% of OF (BF), and straw combined with 85% of OF (SF). The results showed that fertilization application reduced the sediment yields and surface runoff flux but increased the subsurface runoff flux. The total loss flux of phosphate (PO3-4-P), total phosphorus (TP), and particulate phosphorus (PP) in surface flow were the highest in the BF treatment and the lowest in the SF treatment. All fertilization applications increased the P loss fluxes in subsurface flow relative to that in CK. The highest PO3-4-P and TP loss flux in subsurface flow was found in the BF (213.88 g·hm-2 and 694.54 g·hm-2, respectively) treatment, followed by that in the OF and SF treatments. Redundancy analysis (RDA) results showed that surface runoff flux and biochar application were the main factors contributing to increased P loss in surface flow, and subsurface runoff flux was the main factor contributing to increased P loss in subsurface flow. In summary, the SF treatment reduced the amount of sediment yield and surface runoff flux in sloping farmland of purple soil and was the most effective for controlling P loss, whereas the risk of subsurface runoff flux requires further attention.

Research Progress and Molecular Mechanisms of Endothelial Cells Inflammation in Vascular-Related Diseases.

Endothelial cells (ECs) are widely distributed inside the vascular network, forming a vital barrier between the bloodstream and the walls of blood vessels. These versatile cells serve myriad functions, including the regulation of vascular tension and the management of hemostasis and thrombosis. Inflammation constitutes a cascade of biological responses incited by biological, chemical, or physical stimuli. While inflammation is inherently a protective mechanism, dysregulated inflammation can precipitate a host of vascular pathologies. ECs play a critical role in the genesis and progression of vascular inflammation, which has been implicated in the etiology of numerous vascular disorders, such as atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, diabetes mellitus, and sepsis. Upon activation, ECs secrete potent inflammatory mediators that elicit both innate and adaptive immune reactions, culminating in inflammation. To date, no comprehensive and nuanced account of the research progress concerning ECs and inflammation in vascular-related maladies exists. Consequently, this review endeavors to synthesize the contributions of ECs to inflammatory processes, delineate the molecular signaling pathways involved in regulation, and categorize and consolidate the various models and treatment strategies for vascular-related diseases. It is our aspiration that this review furnishes cogent experimental evidence supporting the established link between endothelial inflammation and vascular-related pathologies, offers a theoretical foundation for clinical investigations, and imparts valuable insights for the development of therapeutic agents targeting these diseases.