SCF/c-Kit-activated signaling and angiogenesis require Gαi1 and Gαi3.

The stem cell factor (SCF) binds to c-Kit in endothelial cells, thus activating downstream signaling and angiogenesis. Herein, we examined the role of G protein subunit alpha inhibitory (Gαi) proteins in this process. In MEFs and HUVECs, Gαi1/3 was associated with SCF-activated c-Kit, promoting c-Kit endocytosis, and binding of key adaptor proteins, subsequently transducing downstream signaling. SCF-induced Akt-mTOR and Erk activation was robustly attenuated by Gαi1/3 silencing or knockout (KO), or due to dominant negative mutations but was strengthened substantially following ectopic overexpression of Gαi1/3. SCF-induced HUVEC proliferation, migration, and capillary tube formation were suppressed after Gαi1/3 silencing or KO, or due to dominant negative mutations. In vivo, endothelial knockdown of Gαi1/3 by intravitreous injection of endothelial-specific shRNA adeno-associated virus (AAV) potently reduced SCF-induced signaling and retinal angiogenesis in mice. Moreover, mRNA and protein expressions of SCF increased significantly in the retinal tissues of streptozotocin-induced diabetic retinopathy (DR) mice. SCF silencing, through intravitreous injection of SCF shRNA AAV, inhibited pathological retinal angiogenesis and degeneration of retinal ganglion cells in DR mice. Finally, the expression of SCF and c-Kit increased in proliferative retinal tissues of human patients with proliferative DR. Taken together, Gαi1/3 mediate SCF/c-Kit-activated signaling and angiogenesis.

Two new species of the genus Eophileurus Arrow, 1908 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae) from the Philippines and Vietnam, with first description of E. quadratifovealis Yang & Pathomwattananurak, 2022 female.

Two new species, Eophileurus varipunctatus Yang, Pathomwattananurak & Zhao, new species from Mindoro and Palawan, the Philippines and Eophileurus vietnamensis Yang, Pathomwattananurak & Zhao, new species from Vietnam are described and illustrated. Eophileurus iwasei Muramoto, 1995 and E. chinensis (Faldermann, 1935) are illustrated and compared to each new species, respectively. The female of E. quadratifovealis Yang & Pathomwattananurak, 2022 is described for the first time.

New and poorly known species of the genus Brachyllus Brenske, 1896 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) from China.

Three new species of the genus Brachyllus Brenske, 1896 are described from China including Brachyllus songhaitiani Zhao, Qi, Su & Liao, new species from Fujian and Jiangxi, B. dongzhiweii Zhao, new species from Xizang and B. tangzhaoyangi Zhao, new species from Guangxi. Brachyllus langeri Keith, 2008 is downgraded to a subspecies of B. rougeriei Keith, 2003 and reported from China for the first time. Newly collected material of B. deuveianus Keith, 2003 allows better definition of its variability. A distribution map for this genus is also presented.

Characterization of permanent deformation properties of densely-compacted unbound granular materials subjected to cyclic loading.

To investigate the long-term deformation properties of unbound granular materials (UGM) that are ordinarily adopted to construct subgrade for high-speed railway, a series of medium-sized cyclic triaxial tests were performed to obtain the relationship between permanent strain and loading cycles under different cyclic stress levels. Moreover, DEM analysis was conducted for the samples to reveal the deformation mechanism and verify the strain developing tendency. It is found that the UGM samples present different long-term deformation properties under different cyclic stress levels. As cyclic stress increases, the permanent strain of UGM sample transfers from rapid stabilization to tardy stabilization, then to tardy failure and finally to rapid failure. Furthermore, the exponent in a power law function was selected as the critical indicator of deformation developing tendency. With the exponent obtained precisely in accordance with the strain rate, the deformation tendency can be analyzed quantitatively. Finally, the characteristics of interparticle force chains induced by different cyclic stress levels were obtained by DEM analysis, which provided evidences for the classification of long-term deformation properties of UGM samples. The achievements have guiding significance for the design of subgrade of both ballasted and unballasted high-speed railway.

A New Approach for Classifying the Permanent Deformation Properties of Granular Materials under Cyclic Loading.

A series of medium-sized cyclic triaxial tests were performed to investigate the permanent deformation properties of granular materials. The strain rate was then plotted against loading cycles to classify the permanent deformation properties of granular materials under different cyclic stress ratios (CSRs). It was found that (1) the permanent strain rate dεp/dN was linearly correlated with loading cycles N using a double-log coordinate on the condition of CSR < 60%; (2) the deformation tendency factor ß, which was extracted from the linear relationship between dεp/dN and N, significantly varied with CSR and, thus, can be adopted to identify the deformation states; (3) ß > 1 implying that permanent strain accumulation ceases in limited cycles and corresponds to the plastic shakedown range, while 0 < ß ≤ 1 indicates the temporary steady state, corresponding to the plastic creep range; (4) sluggish decrease or remarkable increase in dεp/dN appeared as CSR ≥ 60%, leading to soil collapsed in limited loading cycles and resulting in an incremental collapse range. The new approach was validated by the crushed tuff aggregates and subgrade materials reported previously. It is expected that the new approach will have wider applicability than the traditional one and can provide technical guidance for the design and construction of substructures in roadway and railway engineering.

Transcriptome and metabolome profiling of the medicinal plant Veratrum mengtzeanum reveal key components of the alkaloid biosynthesis.

Veratrum mengtzeanum is the main ingredient for Chinese folk medicine known as "Pimacao" due to its unique alkaloids. A diverse class of plant-specific metabolites having key pharmacological activities. There are limited studies on alkaloid synthesis and its metabolic pathways in plants. To elucidate the alkaloid pathway and identify novel biosynthetic enzymes and compounds in V. mengtzeanum, transcriptome and metabolome profiling has been conducted in leaves and roots. The transcriptome of V. mengtzeanum leaves and roots yielded 190,161 unigenes, of which 33,942 genes expressed differentially (DEGs) in both tissues. Three enriched regulatory pathways (isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis, indole alkaloid biosynthesis and tropane, piperidine and pyridine alkaloid biosynthesis) and a considerable number of genes such as AED3-like, A4U43, 21 kDa protein-like, 3-O-glycotransferase 2-like, AtDIR19, MST4, CASP-like protein 1D1 were discovered in association with the biosynthesis of alkaloids in leaves and roots. Some transcription factor families, i.e., AP2/ERF, GRAS, NAC, bHLH, MYB-related, C3H, FARI, WRKY, HB-HD-ZIP, C2H2, and bZIP were also found to have a prominent role in regulating the synthesis of alkaloids and steroidal alkaloids in the leaves and roots of V. mengtzeanum. The metabolome analysis revealed 74 significantly accumulated metabolites, with 55 differentially accumulated in leaves compared to root tissues. Out of 74 metabolites, 18 alkaloids were highly accumulated in the roots. A novel alkaloid compound viz; 3-Vanilloylygadenine was discovered in root samples. Conjoint analysis of transcriptome and metabolome studies has also highlighted potential genes involved in regulation and transport of alkaloid compounds. Here, we have presented a comprehensive metabolic and transcriptome profiling of V. mengtzeanum tissues. In earlier reports, only the roots were reported as a rich source of alkaloid biosynthesis, but the current findings revealed both leaves and roots as significant manufacturing factories for alkaloid biosynthesis.

Identification of matrix-remodeling associated 5 as a possible molecular oncotarget of pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer has an extremely poor prognosis. Here we examined expression, potential functions and underlying mechanisms of MXRA5 (matrix remodeling associated 5) in pancreatic cancer. Bioinformatics studies revealed that MXRA5 transcripts are significantly elevated in pancreatic cancer tissues, correlating with the poor overall survival, high T-stage, N1 and pathologic stage of the patients. MXRA5 mRNA and protein expression is significantly elevated in microarray pancreatic cancer tissues and different pancreatic cancer cells. In primary and immortalized (BxPC-3 and PANC-1 lines) pancreatic cancer cells, shRNA-induced MXRA5 silencing or CRISPR/Cas9-mediated MXRA5 knockout suppressed cell survival, proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), while provoking cell apoptosis. Conversely, forced overexpression of MXRA5 further promoted pancreatic cancer cell progression and EMT. Bioinformatics studies and the protein chip analyses revealed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in MXRA5-overexpressed primary pancreatic cancer cells were enriched in the PI3K-Akt-mTOR cascade. Indeed, Akt-mTOR activation in primary human pancreatic cancer cells was inhibited by MXRA5 shRNA or knockout, but was augmented following MXRA5 overexpression. In vivo, the growth of MXRA5 KO PANC-1 xenografts was largely inhibited in nude mice. Moreover, intratumoral injection of adeno-associated virus-packed MXRA5 shRNA potently inhibited primary pancreatic cancer cell growth in nude mice. Akt-mTOR activation was also largely inhibited in the MXRA5-depleted pancreatic cancer xenografts. Contrarily MXRA5 overexpression promoted primary pancreatic cancer cell growth in nude mice. Together, overexpressed MXRA5 is important for pancreatic cancer cell growth possibly through promoting EMT and Akt-mTOR activation. MXRA5 could be a potential therapeutic oncotarget for pancreatic cancer.

New species of the tribe Sericini Kirby, 1837 from China, with further updates on their taxonomy and distribution (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Sericinae).

Fifteen new species of Sericini are described from China, including Gastroserica (s. str.) mayunshui Zhao & Ahrens, new species, Pachyserica albopunctata Zhao & Ahrens, new species, P. dongnanensis Zhao & Ahrens, new species, P. jianfengensis Zhao & Ahrens, new species, Serica (s. l.) caiyiyiae Zhao & Ahrens, new species, S. (s. l.) babaoshanensis Zhao & Ahrens, new species, S. (s. l.) jicaiyanae Zhao & Ahrens, new species, S. (s. l.) zhangyaonani Zhao & Ahrens, new species, S. (s. l.) longidentata Zhao & Ahrens, new species, S. (s. l.) callosericoides Zhao & Ahrens, new species, S. (Taiwanoserica) liboyani Zhao & Ahrens, new species, S. (T.) yangzaichuni Zhao & Ahrens, new species, Maladera zhanchaoi Zhao & Ahrens, new species M. parabikouensis Zhao & Ahrens, new species and M. shikengkongensis Zhao & Ahrens, new species. Maladera juxianensis Ahrens, Fabrizi & Liu, 2021 was recognized as a junior synonym of M. aureola (Murayama, 1938). Additional collecting data for 32 other sericine species is presented.

Baicalein Relieves Ferroptosis-Mediated Phagocytosis Inhibition of Macrophages in Ovarian Endometriosis.

Iron overload and oxidative stress have been reported to contribute to ferroptosis in endometriotic lesions. However, the possible roles of iron overload on macrophages in endometriosis (EMs) remain unknown. Based on recent reports by single-cell sequencing data of endometriosis, here we found significant upregulations of ferroptosis-associated genes in the macrophage of the endometriotic lesion. Additionally, there was an elevated expression of HMOX1, FTH1, and FTL in macrophages of peritoneal fluid in EMs, as well as iron accumulation in the endometriotic lesions. Notably, cyst fluid significantly up-regulated levels of intracellular iron and ferroptosis in Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated THP-1 cells. Additionally, high iron-induced ferroptosis obviously reduced PMA-stimulated THP-1 cells' phagocytosis and increased the expression of angiogenic cytokines, such as vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and interleukin 8 (IL8). Baicalein, a potential anti-ferroptosis compound, increased GPX4 expression, significantly inhibited ferroptosis, and restored phagocytosis of THP-1 cells in vitro. Collectively, our study reveals that ferroptosis triggered by high iron in cyst fluid promotes the development of EMs by impairing macrophage phagocytosis and producing more angiogenic cytokines (e.g., IL8 and VEGFA). Baicalein displays the potential for the treatment of EMs, especially in patients with high ferroptosis and low phagocytosis of macrophages.

Contribution to the genus Anomala Samouelle, 1819 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae) of China and adjacent regions. Part II: six new species from Taiwan and Hainan.

Six new insular species of the genus Anomala Samouelle, 1819 are described: A. hualienensis Zhao, new species, A. linwenhsini Zhao Zorn, new species, A. wutaiensis Zhao Zorn, new species, A. kanshireiensis Zorn Zhao, new species and A. inclinata Zhao Zorn, new species from Taiwan Island as well as A. longilobata Zhao Zorn, new species from Hainan Island.

Grifola frondosa Polysaccharide Ameliorates Early Diabetic Nephropathy by Suppressing the TLR4/NF-κB Pathway.

Grifola frondosa is a medicinal macro-fungus with a wide range of biological activities. Polysaccharides from Grifola frondosa (PGF) play a positive role in regulating blood glucose and alleviating kidney injury. Here, we investigated the exact mechanism of action by which PGF ameliorates diabetic nephropathy. Our results showed that PGF effectively improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in streptozocin (STZ)-induced DN mice. Additionally, administration of PGF also ameliorated renal function and inflammatory response in STZ-induced DN mice. Consistent with the in vitro results, the high glucose-induced inflammatory response and apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells were decreased by PGF treatment. Furthermore, PGF not only suppressed the expression of TLR4, but also more effectively protected the kidney and reduced the inflammatory response when TLR4 was inhibited. All these data revealed that PGF alleviates diabetic nephropathy by blocking the TLR4/NF-κB pathway.

A contribution to the genus Didrepanephorus Wood-Mason, 1878 (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Rutelinae).

The diagnostic characters of the genera Didrepanephorus Wood-Mason, 1878 and Fruhstorferia Kolbe, 1894 are clarified. The following nomenclatorial acts are proposed: Didrepanephorusbirmanicus (Arrow, 1907), comb. nov., Didrepanephorusfukinukii (Muramoto & Araya, 2000), comb. nov., Fruhstorferiabaron (Prokofiev, 2013), comb. nov., and Fruhstorferiaanthracina Ohaus, 1903, comb. rev. Didrepanephorustangzhaoyangi Zhao & Liu, sp. nov. is described from Yunnan Province, China. A lectotype is designated for Fruhstorferiabirmanica Arrow, 1907. Didrepanephorusmizunumai Nagai & Hirasawa, 1991 is reported from Myanmar for the first time.

On the genus Mimela Kirby, 1823 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae) from China and adjacent countries, with description of five new species.

Five new species of the leaf chafer genus Mimela Kirby, 1823 are described from China: M. prodigiosa Zhao, new species, M. semirubra Zhao, new species, M. varichroma Zhao, new species and M. admixta Zhao, new species from Yunnan as well as M. latimarginata Zhao, new species from Hainan. New faunistic and taxonomic information on species from China and adjacent countries are provided. Type material of M. sericea Ohaus, 1905 and M. soror Arrow, 1908 is illustrated for the first time.

Optimal design of aeroacoustic airfoils with owl-inspired trailing-edge serrations.

The trailing-edge serration that imitates the silent owl wing is used as a flow control method to suppress the aerodynamic noise generated from the rotating wind turbine blade. Recent studies have found that the addition of serrations could degrade the overall aerodynamic performance of the airfoil. To this end, an optimal design method for airfoils with the trailing-edge serration is developed. Combined with the modeling methods of aerodynamics for serrations, the fundamental parameters of serrations are integrated into the optimal design of wind turbine airfoils. Specifically, based on the existing multidisciplinary optimization method for airfoils, the aerodynamic prediction and evaluation module for the serrated airfoil was introduced to develop an aerodynamic-structural optimal design platform. In this way, a novel serrated airfoil equipped with high aerodynamic performance can be designed. Compared with the reference airfoil, the maximum lift-to-drag ratio and lift coefficient of the optimal serrated airfoil at the design point have been increased by 1.9% and 32.5%, while the aerodynamic noise could also be reduced. Finally, experiments were conducted in an anechoic chamber to verify the noise-reduction level of the optimal serrated airfoil, which sufficiently demonstrate the capability to improve the comprehensive performance of the airfoil using such a developed optimal scheme.

Tai Chi postural training for dyskinesia rehabilitation: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial in convalescent ischaemic stroke patients.

INTRODUCTION: Acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) is not only seriously damaging to the physical and mental health of patients, but also has become a major social public health problem. Effective dyskinesia rehabilitation treatment in convalescence is of great significance for AIS patients' prognosis and quality of life. Tai Chi (TC) shows great potential in improving motor function. This trial aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of modified TC postural training (TPT), and to explore the related central-peripheral neurotransmitter mechanisms. METHODS/DESIGN: The proposed study will be a multicentre randomised controlled trial. The trial will randomise 120 eligible AIS patients in a 1:1 ratio to receive TPT or Bobath rehabilitation training. Each training session will last 40 min and will be implemented once a day and five times per week (from Monday to Friday) in a duration of 4 weeks. After finishing the 4-week treatment, another 3-month follow-up period will be seen. Root mean square generated from the surface electromyogram (sEMG) will be the primary outcome. Other sEMG time-domain parameters and frequency-domain parameters and clinical scales assessment will be the secondary outcomes. Peripheral blood samples will be collected at baseline and at the end of 4-week treatment, which will be used to explore the related therapeutic mechanisms. Intention-to-treat analysis and per-protocol analysis will both be implemented in this trial. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has been approved by Ethics Committee of Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, being granted approval numbers DZMEC-KY-2020-22. The research results will be disseminated through (open access) peer-reviewed publications and presentations at conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR2000032999.

Description of a new species of the genus Didrepanephorus Wood-Mason, 1878 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae) from China with notes on allied species.

Four Chinese species of the genus Didrepanephorus Wood-Mason, 1878 with dense setae on dorsal surface are illustrated, including D. heterocolor Qiu, Zhao Xu, new species from Guizhou. Didrepanephorus mucronatus Arrow, 1921 and D. subvittatus Benderitter, 1922 are newly recorded from China in Yunnan and Guangxi respectively. Detailed descriptions, intraspecific variations, and natural history are provided for the aforementioned species. Previously unknown female of D. nishiyamai Muramoto, 2006 is documented for the first time.

Contribution to the genus Anomala Samouelle, 1819 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae) of China and adjacent regions. Part I: descriptions of two new species and remarks on four species.

Two new species of the genus Anomala Samouelle, 1819 are described: A. dianopicta Zhao, new species from Yunnan and A. huangyuzhoui Zhao, new species from Hunan. New distributional records for Anomala bella Arrow, 1917, A. blaisei Ohaus, 1914, A. cyanipennis Lin, 1999 and A. granuliformis Lin, 1996 are presented.

Pollution Load Capacity Calculation Study Based on Multi-objective System in Trans-boundary Area, Plain River Network.

In this paper, a new method for pollution load control was proposed to solve the transboundary pollution problem in plain river network. The spatial distribution of load capacity, considering both multiple management requirements and local hydrodynamic features, has been studied in three steps: (1) the multiple objectives calculation system featured by multiple constraints has been proposed considering water quality requirements for different kinds of objectives. (2) the corresponding 1-d and 0-d models for load capacity calculation, considering the complex hydrodynamic characteristic, have been established separately. (3) based on the multi-objective calculation system, the load capacity satisfying the multiple objectives in different administrative units could be calculated. The results indicated that pollution load capacity of the whole transboundary area in Taihu basin is 151806 t/y for chemical oxygen demand, 15,099 t/y for ammonia nitrogen and 3394 t/y for total phosphorus, respectively. Then the rationality of the result has been analyzed and the load capacity calculated has been proved reasonable.

Comparison of Nanomaterials with Other Unconventional Materials Used as Additives for Soil Improvement in the Context of Sustainable Development: A Review.

Since the concept of sustainable development enjoys popular support in the 21st century, various kinds of unconventional materials were introduced for soil improvement in the past few decades to replace the traditional materials like concrete and lime. This paper compared nanomaterials with other three kinds of representative unconventional materials to demonstrate its superiority in soil treatment. The other three kinds of unconventional materials include microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP), recycled tire and environmental fiber. Nanomaterial and MICP have a comprehensive effect on soil reinforcement, since they can improve shear strength, adjust permeability, resist liquefaction and purify the environment. Recycled tire and environmental fibers are granular materials that are mostly adopted to reinforce reconstituted soil. The reinforcement mechanisms and effects of these four kinds of unconventional materials are discussed in detail, and their price/performance ratios are calculated to make an evaluation about their market application prospects. It can be seen that nanomaterials have promising prospects. Colloidal silica, bentonite and laponite present a satisfactory effect on liquefaction mitigation for sandy foundation, and carbon nanotube has an aptitude for unconfined compressive strength improvement. Among the investigated nanomaterials, colloidal silica is the closest to scale market application. Despite the advantages of nanomaterials adopted as additives for soil improvement, they are known for unwanted interactions with different biological objects at the cell level. Nevertheless, research on nanomaterials that are adopted for soil improvement are very promising and can intensify the relationship between sustainable development and geotechnical engineering through innovative techniques.

Is body mass index associated with the incidence of endometriosis and the severity of dysmenorrhoea: a case-control study in China?

OBJECTIVE: Endometriosis is considered as a serious gynaecological disease in women at a reproductive age. Lower body mass index (BMI) is thought to be a risk factor. However, recent studies indicated that women with normal BMI were also more likely to develop endometriosis, suggesting the association with BMI is controversial. We therefore investigated the association of BMI and surgically diagnosed endometriosis in a cohort of Chinese women. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. SETTING: Tertiary hospital. PATIENTS: 709 women with endometriosis and 807 age matched controls between January 2018 and August 2019. INTERVENTION: Age at diagnosis, parity, gravida, BMI and self-reported dysmenorrhoea status were collected and the association of BMI and endometriosis was analysed. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: Overall, the median BMI was not different between patients and controls (21.1 kg/m2 vs 20.9 kg/m2, p=0.223). According to the BMI categories for Asians/Chinese by WHO (underweight: <18.5 kg/m2, normal weight: 18.5-22.99 kg/m2, overweight: 23-27.49 kg/m2, obese: ≥27.50 kg/m2), overall, there was no difference in the association of BMI and endometriosis (p=0.112). 60% of patients were of normal weight. However, the OR of obese patients (BMI over 27.50 kg/m2) having endometriosis was1.979 (95% CI 1.15 to 3.52, p=0.0185), compared with women with normal weight. 50.3% patients reported dysmenorrhoea, and the OR of developing severe dysmenorrhoea in obese patients (BMI over 27.50 kg/m2) was 3.64 (95% CI 1.195 to 10.15, p=0.025), compared with patients with normal weight. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that overall there was no association between BMI and the incidence of endometriosis, but there was a significant increase in the incidence of endometriosis in obese women, compared with women with normal weight. Obesity was also a risk factor for severe dysmenorrhoea.