PCAF-mediated acetylation of METTL3 impairs mRNA translation efficiency in response to oxidative stress.

METTL3 methylates RNA and regulates the fate of mRNA through its methyltransferase activity. METTL3 enhances RNA translation independently of its catalytic activity. However, the underlying mechanism is still elusive. Here, we report that METTL3 is both interacted with and acetylated at lysine 177 by the acetyltransferase PCAF and deacetylated by SIRT3. Neither the methyltransferase activity nor the stability of METTL3 is affected by its acetylation at K177. Importantly, acetylation of METTL3 blocks its interaction with EIF3H, a subunit of the translation initiation factor, thereby reducing mRNA translation efficiency. Interestingly, acetylation of METTL3 responds to oxidative stress. Mechanistically, oxidative stress enhances the interaction of PCAF with METTL3, increases METTL3 acetylation, and suppresses the interaction of METTL3 with EIF3H, thereby decreasing the translation efficiency of ribosomes and inhibiting cell proliferation. Altogether, we suggest a mechanism by which oxidative stress regulates RNA translation efficiency by the modulation of METTL3 acetylation mediated by PCAF.

Investigations on the shock wave induced by collapse of a toroidal bubble.

When bubbles collapse near a wall, they typically experience an asymmetric deformation. This collapse leads to the creation of a jet that strikes the bubble interface, causing the formation of a toroidal bubble and the subsequent release of a water-hammer shock. In this study, we present a systematic analysis of the collapse of a toroidal bubble in an open field or adjacent to a flat wall using high-fidelity numerical simulation. To maintain the sharpness of the interface, we employ the interface compression technique and the boundary variation diminishing approach within the two-phase model. Our findings demonstrate that shock waves emitted from the toroidal bubble consistently propagate toward the central axis of the torus, resulting in significant pressure shocks along the axis, similar to the water-hammer shock formed during the collapse of a spherical bubble. In contrast, weak pressure waves are generated in the transverse directions, leading to relatively weaker pressure peaks. Furthermore, the wall-pressure peak induced by the toroidal bubble is approximately three times higher than that induced by the spherical bubble. Based on the directional characteristics of pressure wave propagation from collapsing toroidal bubbles, toroidal-shaped pressure vessels can be designed as buoyancy materials for deep submersibles. This design enables the focused release of energy in a specific direction, effectively minimizing the destructive chain reaction caused by the implosion.

Salivary Gland Neoplasm of Uncertain Malignant Potential (SUMP) (Milan IVB) and Its Subgroups: A Multi-Institutional Analysis of Risk of Neoplasm and Malignancy.

OBJECTIVES: Fine needle aspiration (FNA) plays a crucial role in their initial assessment of salivary gland neoplasms. In the Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology (MSRSGC), the category of Salivary Gland Neoplasm of Uncertain Malignant Potential (SUMP) categorizes lesions with ambiguous features. This study aims to investigate the risk of neoplasm (RON) and risk of malignancy (ROM) within different subgroups of SUMP lesions using data from three large academic institutions. METHODS: We analyzed salivary gland (FNA) cases from three academic institutions post-MSRSGC implementation. Salivary gland FNA cases categorized as Milan IVB (SUMP) with subsequent surgical pathology follow-up were analyzed. Cases were divided into basaloid, oncocytic, and clear cell SUMP subtypes, with RON and ROM assessed and compared. RESULTS: Out of 1377 MSRSGC cases, 231 were SUMP (16.8%), with 101 subjected to surgical pathology follow-up. The overall ROM for SUMP was 20.8%, with variations of 10% to 29.5% observed amongst institutions, but no significant difference was observed among three institutions (p = 0.15). Basaloid and oncocytic SUMP displayed 17.1% and 20.5% ROM, respectively, without significant disparity. However, all clear cell SUMP cases were malignant on surgical resection. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the variability in ROM for SUMP lesions and the significantly higher ROM in SUMP cases with clear cell features. These findings emphasize the importance of accurately subcategorizing SUMP lesions, particularly those with clear cell features, for appropriate clinical management.

Utilizing Liquid-liquid phase separation-related lncRNAs to predict the prognosis and treatment response of PCa.

BACKGROUND: Studies have indicated a close association between genes linked to liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and the progression of prostate cancer (PCa). However, the interplay among long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) linked to LLPS in PCa remains elusive. Therefore, we constructed a prediction model based on LLPS-related LncRNA in PCa to explore its relationship with the prognosis and drug treatment of PCa. METHODS: We obtained clinical and sequencing data from TCGA and LLPS genes from the Phase Separation Protein Database. By analyzing the differential expression of LLPS-related genes and lncRNAs in prostate cancer, and using Poisson correlation, we identified LLPS-related lncRNAs. Prognostic LLPS-lncRNAs were found through prognostic correlation analysis and included in a Cox model to compute regression coefficients. Patients were scored and divided into high- and low-risk groups. Independent prognostic factors were integrated into a prognostic nomogram with risk and Gleason scores. We also conducted drug sensitivity analyses, GSEA, and validated the impact of key lncRNAs through functional experiments. RESULTS: Our study identified five LLPS-associated lncRNAs that are of prognostic importance. And found notable disparities in biochemical recurrence rates and survival outcomes between these risk groups, with the low-risk cohort exhibiting superior prognostic indicators. Moreover, our prediction nomogram demonstrated robust predictive accuracy and significant clinical utility. Furthermore, our model exhibited promising capabilities in forecasting patient sensitivity to various conventional therapeutic drugs, thereby highlighting its potential in personalized treatment strategies. GSEA showed that these lncRNAs may influence PCa prognosis and sensitivity to therapeutic agents by affecting pathways such as cell cycle. Knockdown of AC009812.4 could inhibit the ability of PCa cells to proliferate, migrate and invade, and compare to paracancerous tissue, AC009812.4 in PCa tissue has significantly higher expression. CONCLUSION: Our research uncovers the prognostic significance of lncRNAs associated with LLPS in PCa and established a model exhibiting excellent predictive accuracy for prognosis. Those lncRNAs may influence progress of PCa as well as sensitivity to therapy drugs through pathways such as cell cycle.

[Mechanism of Qiwei Guibao Granules in treatment of premature ovarian failure based on metabolomics].

In this study, a mouse model of premature ovarian failure(POF) was constructed by injecting D-galactose(200 mg·kg~(-1)) into the back of the neck for 6 weeks. The mice were randomly divided into a normal group(group N), a model group(group M), and a Qiwei Guibao Granules group(group A, 12.87 g·kg~(-1)). Starting from the 11th day of modeling, group A was treated with Qiwei Guibao Granules by gavage for 32 days, while group M and group N were given equal volume of saline. Metabolomics analysis was used to explore the mechanism of action of Qiwei Guibao Granules in the treatment of POF. The results showed that compared with group N, the group M exhibited decreased wet weight of bilateral ovaries, increased levels of LH and FSH in serum, and significantly decreased levels of E_2 and PROG. After treatment with Qiwei Guibao Granules, compared with the group M, the group A showed a significant increase in the wet weight of bilateral ovaries, a significant decrease in the levels of FSH and LH in serum, and a significant increase in the level of E_2. Metabolomics analysis revealed 55 differential metabolites identified between group N and group M(14 upregulated and 41 downregulated compared with group N) and 82 differential metabolites identified between group M and group A(56 upregulated and 26 downregulated compared with group M), with 5 metabolites showing consistent changes between the group N vs group M. After excluding these 5 metabolites, 77 metabolites that changed after intervention with Qiwei Guibao Granules were focused on. These mainly involved histidine metabolism, glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism. Among them, carnosine, 1-methyl-L-histidine, imidazoleacetic acid, choline, L-threonine, beta-hydroxypyruvic acid, phosphatidylcholine, and glycerol-3-phosphate were the major differential metabolites in these three metabolic pathways. Therefore, Qiwei Guibao Granules may exert therapeutic effects on POF mice by regulating amino acid metabolism and lipid metabolism in the mouse body.

Improving the removal rate of bisphenol A and Cu2+ from water using P/N coexisting ß-cyclodextrin-based adsorbents by enhancing adsorbents-pollutants interactions.

Bisphenol A (BPA), a prominent endocrine-disrupting compound, has garnered considerable attention due to its urgent need for rapid removal from water. Herein, we first used a novel reactive phosphine oxide containing tertiary amines as crosslinker to prepare water-insoluble crosslinked ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) adsorbent via radical-mediated thiol-ene polymerization. Owing to the synergistic hydrogen-bond (H-bond) interactions of functional groups (tertiary amine and PO groups) toward BPA, the resulted adsorbents showed fast adsorption kinetics to BPA with an adsorption equilibrium time of 5 min. After six adsorption-desorption cycles, the removal efficiency of BPA was 92.5 %, indicating its excellent reusability. Due to the presence of the CS bonds, the ß-CD -derived bio-adsorbents offered binding sites for Cu2+ ions, resulting in a maximum adsorption capacity of 113.89 mg g-1.

Room temperature synthesis of a chiral covalent organic framework core-shell composite for high-performance liquid chromatography enantioseparation.

In this article, chiral covalent organic framework core-shell composite CCOF-TpPa-Py@SiO2 was facilely synthesized by induction at room temperature. The CCOF-TpPa-Py@SiO2 core-shell composite was used as a chiral stationary phase for the separation of the racemates by high-performance liquid chromatography, which exhibits good separation performance for chiral compounds including ketones, alcohols, esters, epoxides, carboxylic acids, amides, and amines. The effects of analyte injection mass on the enantioseparation were studied. The reproducibility and stability of the CCOF-TpPa-Py@SiO2 chiral column were explored. The intra-day (n = 5), inter-day (n = 5), and inter-column (n = 3) relative standard deviations for the migration times and resolution of benzoin were 0.32%-0.54%, 0.45%-0.61%, and 1.21%-1.53%, respectively. In addition, the chiral separation ability of the CCOF-TpPa-Py@SiO2 chiral column (column A) was compared with that of the MDI-ß-CD-Modified COF@SiO2 (column B) as well as a commercial chiral column (Chiralpak AD-H). The chiral recognition ability of column A is complementary to that of column B and AD-H column. The resolution mechanism of CCOF-TpPa-Py@SiO2 stationary phase towards chiral analyte was explored. Hence, the synthesis of CCOF-TpPa-Py@SiO2 core-shell composite by induction at room temperature as chiral stationary phases for chromatographic separation has important research potential and application prospects.

Morphological, Physiological, and Photosynthetic Differences of Tartary Buckwheat Induced by Post-Anthesis Drought.

Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn) is a crop of significant interest due to its nutritional value and resilience to drought conditions. However, drought, particularly following flowering, is a major factor contributing to yield reduction. This research employed two distinct Tartary buckwheat genotypes to investigate the effects of post-anthesis drought on growth and physicochemical characteristics. The study aimed to elucidate the response of Tartary buckwheat to drought stress. The findings indicated that post-anthesis drought adversely impacted the growth, morphology, and biomass accumulation of Tartary buckwheat. Drought stress enhanced the maximum photosynthetic capacity (Fv/Fm) and light protection ability (NPQ) of the 'Xiqiao-2' genotype. In response to drought stress, 'Dingku-1' and 'Xiqiao-2' maintained osmotic balance by accumulating soluble sugars and proline, respectively. Notably, 'Xiqiao-2' exhibited elevated levels of flavonoids and polyphenols in its leaves, which helped mitigate oxidative damage caused by drought. Furthermore, rewatering after a brief drought period significantly improved plant height, stem diameter, and biomass accumulation in 'Dingku-1'. Overall, 'Xiqiao-2' demonstrated greater long-term tolerance to post-anthesis drought, while 'Dingku-1' was less adversely affected by short-term post-anthesis drought.

The activation of cGAS-STING pathway causes abnormal uterine receptivity in aged mice.

Maternal age is one of the most important factors affecting the success of maternal pregnancy. Uterine aging is the leading cause of pregnancy failure in older women. However, how uterine aging affects uterine receptivity and decidualization is unclear. In this study, naturally aged one-year-old female mice were used to investigate effects of maternal age on embryo implantation during early pregnancy. In our study, we found abnormal uterine receptivity in aged mice. Aged mouse uterus indicates a decrease in nuclear LAMIN A, and an increase in PRELAMIN A and PROGERIN. In aged mouse uterus, double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) in cytoplasmic fraction is significantly increased. PROGERIN overexpression in mouse uterine epithelial cells and epithelial organoids leads to nuclear DNA leakage and impaired uterine receptivity. DNase I, DNase II, and TREX1 are obviously reduced in aged mouse uterus. Treatments with foreign DNA or STING agonist significantly downregulate uterine receptivity markers and activate cGAS-STING pathway. Uterine estrogen (E2) concentration is significantly increased in aged mice. After ovariectomized mice are treated with a high level of E2, there are significant increase of PROGERIN and cytoplasmic DNA, and activation of cGAS-STING pathway. CD14 is significantly increased in aged uterus. Intrauterine CD14 injection inhibits embryo implantation. In vitro CD14 treatment of cultured epithelial cells or epithelial organoids decreases uterine receptivity. Uterine abnormality in aged mouse can be partially rescued by STING inhibitor. In conclusion, uterine PROGERIN increase in aged mouse uterus results in cytoplasmic DNA accumulation and cGAS-STING pathway activation. CD14 secretion in aged uterus impairs uterine receptivity.

Association between lifestyle factors and mental health in apparently healthy young men.

OBJECTIVE: The study aims to explore the relationship between modifiable lifestyle factors (physical activity, sedentary time, body composition, muscle strength) and mental health, and predict future changes in mental health. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 133 men (age: 29.03 ± 6.605 years, BMI: 23.58 ± 2.688 kg/m²) to assess baseline body composition, muscle strength, sedentary time, and mental health, with follow-up at 3 months. F-tests were employed to compare the differences in mental health on sedentary time and body composition variables. Spearman correlation analysis was used to examine correlations between variables. RESULTS: Spearman's correlation analysis showed that sedentary time, muscle strength and mental health of the subjects were significantly correlated. BMI, BFM, BFMI, PBF were higher in subjects with ≥ 4 h of sedentary time than in the other two shorter sedentary time groups. Subjects with higher PBF (p = 0.047, η2 = 0.030) and BFM (p = 0.032, η2 = 0.035) had severer depression. Subjects who sat for ≥ 4 h at a time were more severely depressed than those who sat for 2-4 h (p = 0.020). Change in depression was significantly negatively correlated with BMI, BFM, BFMI and PBF. Subjects with higher PBF (p = 0.023, η2 = 0.050) and BFM (p = 0.005, η2 = 0.075) at the baseline had less change in depression. CONCLUSION: A Significant correlation was found between sedentary time, body composition and mental health, and baseline body composition predicted changes in mood three months later.

The Influencing Factors of Implementation in Emergency Medical Service Systems - A Scoping Review.

OBJECTIVES: Emergency medical services (EMS) provide health care in situations with limited time and resources. Challenges arise when introducing novel medications, treatments, or technologies or modifying existing practices in these settings. Effective implementation strategies are pivotal for their success. This study aims to identify and categorize potential facilitators and barriers in the implementation of prehospital EMS through a review of relevant research articles. METHODS: We searched PubMed and EMbase to identify studies published before December 2023, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for our search strategy and scoping review. We included original articles written in English that report on the factors that influence the implementation in prehospital settings. We extracted and categorized the factors into different themes. RESULTS: Out of the 371 retrieved papers, we selected 19 (5%) for inclusion in this review. We extracted 46 influencing factors from the selected articles and categorized them into ten themes: (1) Outer system, (2) Inner system, (3) Practitioner characteristics, (4) Resources, (5) Communication and collaboration, (6) Patient factors, (7) Intervention characteristics, (8) De-implementation of prior practices, (9) Logistical issues, and (10) Quality improvement. CONCLUSIONS: This study examined the literature on EMS implementation factors and proposed a 10-theme EMS model framework. Key factors include training/education, equipment/tools, communication with hospitals, and practitioners' attitudes.

Integrative analysis regarding the correlation between collagen-related genes and prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: Prostate cancer (PCa) is a common malignancy in men, with an escalating mortality rate attributed to Recurrence and metastasis. Recent studies have illuminated collagen's critical regulatory role within the tumor microenvironment, significantly influencing tumor progression. Accordingly, this investigation is dedicated to examining the relationship between genes linked to collagen and the prognosis of PCa, with the objective of uncovering any possible associations between them. METHODS: Gene expression data for individuals with prostate cancer were obtained from the TCGA repository. Collagen-related genes were identified, leading to the development of a risk score model associated with biochemical recurrence-free survival (BRFS). A prognostic nomogram integrating the risk score with essential clinical factors was crafted and evaluated for efficacy. The influence of key collagen-related genes on cellular behavior was confirmed through various assays, including CCK8, invasion, migration, cell cloning, and wound healing. Immunohistochemical detection was used to evaluate PLOD3 expression in prostate cancer tissue samples. RESULTS: Our study identified four key collagen-associated genes (PLOD3, COL1A1, MMP11, FMOD) as significant. Survival analysis revealed that low-risk groups, based on the risk scoring model, had significantly improved prognoses. The risk score was strongly associated with prostate cancer prognosis. Researchers then created a nomogram, which demonstrated robust predictive efficacy and substantial clinical applicability.Remarkably, the suppression of PLOD3 expression notably impeded the proliferation, invasion, migration, and colony formation capabilities of PCa cells. CONCLUSION: The risk score, derived from four collagen-associated genes, could potentially act as a precise prognostic indicator for BRFS of patients. Simultaneously, our research has identified potential therapeutic targets related to collagen. Notably, PLOD3 was differentially expressed in cancer and para-cancer tissues in clinical specimens and it also was validated through in vitro studies and shown to suppress PCa tumorigenesis following its silencing.

Mechanisms of exercise intervention in type 2 diabetes: a bibliometric and visualization analysis based on CiteSpace.

Objective: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a common chronic metabolic disease, and its prevalence is increasing globally. Exercise is crucial for T2D management, yet many aspects of its mechanisms remain unclear. This study employs CiteSpace to reveal research hotspots and frontier issues in exercise intervention for T2D. Method: A literature review spanning from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2022, was conducted using the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC), with keywords including "exercise," "type 2 diabetes," and "mechanisms." We analyzed network diagrams generated by CiteSpace, which depicted relationships among countries, authors, and keywords. Results: This study includes 1,210 English papers from 555 journals, affiliated with 348 institutions across 80 countries/regions. Notably, the United States, China, and the United Kingdom account for nearly half of all publications. The University of Copenhagen leads in publication volume, followed by Harvard Medical School and the University of Colorado. Key authors include Kirwan, John P (Case Western Reserve University), Malin, Steven K (Rutgers University), and Pedersen, Bente Klarlund (University of Copenhagen). Based on co-occurrence analysis of keywords, it is evident that terms such as "disease," "glucagon-like peptide 1," and "cardiovascular risk factor" exhibit high intermediary centrality. Conclusion: The analysis highlights ongoing investigations into molecular mechanisms, such as ß-cell function enhancement, exerkines, and epigenetic mechanisms. Emerging areas include exercise response heterogeneity, circadian rhythm regulation, transcription factors, neurotrophic factors, and mitochondrial function. Future studies should prioritize understanding interactions between different exercise mechanisms and optimizing exercise prescriptions for T2D. Exercise prescriptions are crucial for effective interventions. Collaboration between countries and institutions is essential to understand the influences of different genetic backgrounds and environmental factors. Currently, a combination of aerobic and resistance training is considered the optimal form of exercise. However, considering time efficiency, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has gained widespread attention and research due to its ability to achieve similar exercise effects in a shorter duration. Additionally, circadian rhythm regulation may affect the exercise outcomes of diabetic individuals at different times of the day, particularly concerning the specific types, doses, and intensities used for precision intervention in T2D.

Numerical simulation of hydraulic characteristics and pollutant transport in the channels with different ice coverages.

In winter, rivers at high latitudes often freeze and an ice cover emerges at the free surface of the river. According to the coverage degree of the ice cover, rivers can be divided into free-flowing, partially frozen, and completely frozen. The presence of ice cover can greatly alter the hydraulic conditions of rivers, complicating the transport of pollutants in river channels. The distribution of pollutants in rivers with different ice coverages was simulated using the Detached Eddy Simulation (DES) model in this paper. The velocity distribution, the pollutant diffusion coefficient distribution, the turbulent kinetic energy distribution, and the vortex distribution with different ice coverages were analyzed. The velocity in the ice cover zone is at a lower rate than in the open flow zone. With the increase of the ice coverage, the turbulent kinetic energy of the ice cover area in partially frozen conditions gradually increases, which makes the water flow turbulence increase. The diffusion coefficient of pollutants in the ice cover area is greater than that in the open flow area, so pollutants disperse more quickly in the ice cover area. The turbulence energy and the diffusion coefficient have similar distribution characteristics beneath the ice cover. The presence of the ice cover promotes the movement of the vortex from the open flow area to the ice cover area, which may be the reason for the larger turbulence energy and the diffusion coefficient. The simulation results can provide a reference for ice disasters and water quality remediation.

Facial recognition models for identifying genetic syndromes associated with pulmonary stenosis in children.

BACKGROUND: Williams-Beuren syndrome, Noonan syndrome, and Alagille syndrome are common types of genetic syndromes (GSs) characterized by distinct facial features, pulmonary stenosis, and delayed growth. In clinical practice, differentiating these three GSs remains a challenge. Facial gestalts serve as a diagnostic tool for recognizing Williams-Beuren syndrome, Noonan syndrome, and Alagille syndrome. Pretrained foundation models (PFMs) can be considered the foundation for small-scale tasks. By pretraining with a foundation model, we propose facial recognition models for identifying these syndromes. METHODS: A total of 3297 (n = 1666) facial photos were obtained from children diagnosed with Williams-Beuren syndrome (n = 174), Noonan syndrome (n = 235), and Alagille syndrome (n = 51), and from children without GSs (n = 1206). The photos were randomly divided into five subsets, with each syndrome and non-GS equally and randomly distributed in each subset. The proportion of the training set and the test set was 4:1. The ResNet-100 architecture was employed as the backbone model. By pretraining with a foundation model, we constructed two face recognition models: one utilizing the ArcFace loss function, and the other employing the CosFace loss function. Additionally, we developed two models using the same architecture and loss function but without pretraining. The accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score of each model were evaluated. Finally, we compared the performance of the facial recognition models to that of five pediatricians. RESULTS: Among the four models, ResNet-100 with a PFM and CosFace loss function achieved the best accuracy (84.8%). Of the same loss function, the performance of the PFMs significantly improved (from 78.5% to 84.5% for the ArcFace loss function, and from 79.8% to 84.8% for the CosFace loss function). With and without the PFM, the performance of the CosFace loss function models was similar to that of the ArcFace loss function models (79.8% vs 78.5% without PFM; 84.8% vs 84.5% with PFM). Among the five pediatricians, the highest accuracy (0.700) was achieved by the senior-most pediatrician with genetics training. The accuracy and F1 scores of the pediatricians were generally lower than those of the models. CONCLUSIONS: A facial recognition-based model has the potential to improve the identification of three common GSs with pulmonary stenosis. PFMs might be valuable for building screening models for facial recognition. Key messages What is already known on this topic:  Early identification of genetic syndromes (GSs) is crucial for the management and prognosis of children with pulmonary stenosis (PS). Facial phenotyping with convolutional neural networks (CNNs) often requires large-scale training data, limiting its usefulness for GSs. What this study adds:  We successfully built multi-classification models based on face recognition using a CNN to accurately identify three common PS-associated GSs. ResNet-100 with a pretrained foundation model (PFM) and CosFace loss function achieved the best accuracy (84.8%). Pretrained with the foundation model, the performance of the models significantly improved, although the impact of the type of loss function appeared to be minimal. How this study might affect research, practice, or policy:  A facial recognition-based model has the potential to improve the identification of GSs in children with PS. The PFM might be valuable for building identification models for facial detection.

Alterations in brain morphology and functional connectivity mediate cognitive decline in carotid atherosclerotic stenosis.

Background: Patients with carotid atherosclerotic stenosis (CAS) often have varying degrees of cognitive decline. However, there is little evidence regarding how brain morphological and functional abnormalities impact the cognitive decline in CAS patients. This study aimed to determine how the brain morphological and functional changes affected the cognitive decline in patients with CAS. Methods: The brain morphological differences were analyzed using surface and voxel-based morphometry, and the seed-based whole-brain functional connectivity (FC) abnormalities were analyzed using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Further, mediation analyses were performed to determine whether and how morphological and FC changes affect cognition in CAS patients. Results: The CAS-MCI (CAS patients with mild cognitive impairment) group performed worse in working memory, verbal fluency, and executive time. Cortical thickness (CT) of the left postcentral and superiorparietal were significantly reduced in CAS-MCI patients. The gray matter volume (GMV) of the right olfactory, left temporal pole (superior temporal gyrus) (TPOsup.L), left middle temporal gyrus (MTG.L), and left insula (INS.L) were decreased in the CAS-MCI group. Besides, decreased seed-based FC between TPOsup.L and left precuneus, between MTG.L and TPOsup.L, and between INS.L and MTG.L, left middle frontal gyrus, as well as Superior frontal gyrus, were found in CAS-MCI patients. Mediation analyses demonstrated that morphological and functional abnormalities fully mediated the association between the maximum degree of carotid stenosis and cognitive function. Conclusion: Multiple brain regions have decreased GMV and CT in CAS-MCI patients, along with disrupted seed-based FC. These morphological and functional changes play a crucial role in the cognitive impairment in CAS patients.

Site engineering of linear conjugated polymers to regulate oxygen adsorption affinity for boosting photocatalytic production of hydrogen peroxide without sacrificial agent.

Artificial photosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a hopeful alternative to the industrial anthraquinone process. However, rational fabrication of the photocatalysts for the production of H2O2 without any sacrificial agents is still a formidable challenge. Herein, two kinds of linear conjugated polymers (LCPs) including pyridinic N functionalized polymer (DEB-N2) and pyridinic N non-contained polymer (DEB-N0) were successfully synthesized. DEB-N2 displays enhanced light capturing ability and good dispersion in water, leading to a substantial initial H2O2 generation rate of 3492µmol g-1h-1 as well as remarkable photocatalytic stability in pure water. Furthermore, the temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and density functional theory (DFT) analysis reveal that highly electronegative pyridine-N atoms in DEB-N2 boost the adsorption affinity of oxygen molecules, which facilitates the occurrence of the oxygen reduction reaction, therefore enhancing the performance of photocatalytic H2O2 production. This study unveils that the presence of pyridinic N in DEB-N2 has a significant impact on photocatalytic H2O2 production, suggesting the precise manipulation of the chemical structure of polymer photocatalysts is essential to achieve efficient solar-to-chemical energy conversion.

MCA Parallel Anatomic Scanning MR Imaging-Guided Recanalization of a Chronic Occluded MCA by Endovascular Treatment.

Basi-parallel anatomic scanning has been widely used for assessing the vascular morphology of vertebral basilar arteries. Previous studies have demonstrated its efficacy in evaluating the morphology of the MCA, which we refer to as MCA parallel anatomic scanning MR imaging (MCPAS). In this study, we present our experience with the application of MCPAS in patients with MCA occlusion. Endovascular treatment was performed on the patients with intact MCA morphology visible in on MCPAS, with no intracranial hemorrhage, occlusion, or other complications observed. No severe stenosis or re-occlusion was observed at the 12-month postoperative follow-up. In conclusion, MCPAS is an effective method for assessing the outer contour of an occlusive MCA. Endovascular treatment can be considered a safe and efficient option for patients who show a favorable MCA through MCPAS assessment.

Evolutionarily conserved 12-oxophytodienoate reductase trans-lncRNA pair affects disease resistance in tea (Camellia sinensis) via the jasmonic acid signaling pathway.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have gathered significant attention due to their pivotal role in plant growth, development, and biotic and abiotic stress resistance. Despite this, there is still little understanding regarding the functions of lncRNA in these domains in the tea plant (Camellia sinensis), mainly attributable to the insufficiencies in gene manipulation techniques for tea plants. In this study, we designed a novel strategy to identify evolutionarily conserved trans-lncRNA (ECT-lncRNA) pairs in plants. We used highly consistent base sequences in the exon-overlapping region between trans-lncRNAs and their target gene transcripts. Based on this method, we successfully screened 24 ECT-lncRNA pairs from at least two or more plant species. In tea, as observed in model plants such as Arabidopsis, alfalfa, potatoes, and rice, there exists a trans-lncRNA capable of forming an ECT-lncRNA pair with transcripts of the 12-oxophytodienoate reductase (OPR) family, denoted as the OPRL/OPR pair. Considering evolutionary perspectives, the OPRL gene cluster in each species likely originates from a replication event of the OPR gene cluster. Gene manipulation and gene expression analysis revealed that CsOPRL influences disease resistance by regulating CsOPR expression in tea plants. Furthermore, the knockout of StOPRL1 in Solanum tuberosum led to aberrant growth characteristics and strong resistance to fungal infection. This study provides insights into a strategy for the screening and functional verification of ECT-lncRNA pairs.