Laser Processing of Crumpled Porous Graphene/MXene Nanocomposites for a Standalone Gas Sensing System.

Integrating wearable gas sensors with energy harvesting and storage devices can create self-powered systems for continuous monitoring of gaseous molecules. However, the development is still limited by complex fabrication processes, poor stretchability, and sensitivity. Herein, we report the low-cost and scalable laser scribing of crumpled graphene/MXenes nanocomposite foams to combine stretchable self-charging power units with gas sensors for a fully integrated standalone gas sensing system. The crumpled nanocomposite designed in island-bridge device architecture allows the integrated self-charging unit to efficiently harvest kinetic energy from body movements into stable power with adjustable voltage/current outputs. Meanwhile, given the stretchable gas sensor with a large response of ∼1% ppm-1 and an ultralow detection limit of ∼5 ppb to NO2/NH3, the integrated system provides real-time monitoring of the exhaled human breath and the local air quality. The innovations in materials and structural designs pave the way for the future development of wearable electronics.

Epidemiological Investigation of Feline Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Encourages a Geographically Specific FCV Vaccine.

A total of 1158 cats with feline upper respiratory tract infection were incorporated from twenty animal hospitals in Wuhan, China, from April 2019 to April 2022 to investigate the epidemiology of feline calicivirus (FCV), herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1), Mycoplasma felis (M. felis) and Chlamydia felis (C. felis) for the development of a geographically-specific FCV vaccine with reference to prevalence and risk factors for infection. The 871 samples (75.2%) of kittens were younger than 12 months, of which 693 were males, and 456 were females. Among the samples, 443 were British shorthair cats, accounting for 38.3%, and 252 were Chinese rural cats, accounting for 21.8%. PCR/RT-PCR detection of the above four viruses (FCV, FHV-1, M. felis, and C. felis) in the upper respiratory tract of cats showed that the total positive samples were 744 (64.3%), including 465 positive samples of feline calicivirus, accounting for 40.2% of the total 1158 samples. There were 311 positive samples of M. felis, accounting for 26.9% of the total samples, ranked second in clinical practice. The 180 positive samples of feline herpesvirus accounted for 15.5%, and 85 positive samples of Chlamydia felis accounted for 7.3%. Among them, the number of positive samples of single pathogenic infections was 493, accounting for 66.3% of the total 744 positive samples. Double, triple, and quadruple infections accounted for 28.2%, 5.0%, and 0.5%, respectively, with the highest proportion of single infections. The molecular biological characteristics of the 17 isolated FCVd strains in Wuhan were further analyzed. It was found that the F9 vaccine strain and the antigenic epitopes in the 5'HVR of the E region were collated with the F9 vaccine strain. Moreover, phylogenetic tree analysis showed that the strains related to the F9 and 255 vaccines were distantly related, leading to the failure of the vaccine. In addition, the strains associated with the F9 and 255 vaccines were distant, which might lead to vaccine failure in anticipation of the development of a more phylogenetically close FCV vaccine in China and may require the development of a vaccine for a locally related FCV strain.

Regulatory Role of Apoptotic and Inflammasome Related Proteins and Their Possible Functional Aspect in Thiram Associated Tibial Dyschondroplasia of Poultry.

Tibial dyschondroplasia debilities apoptotic and inflammasomal conditions that can further destroy chondrocytes. Inflammasomes are specialized protein complexes that process pro-inflammatory cytokines, e.g., interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and IL-18. Moreover, there is mounting evidence that many of the signaling molecules that govern programmed cell death also affect inflammasome activation in a cell-intrinsic way. During the last decade, apoptotic functions have been described for signaling molecules involving inflammatory responses and cell death pathways. Considering these exceptional developments in the knowledge of processes, this review gives a glimpse of the significance of these two pathways and their connected proteins in tibial dyschondroplasia. The current review deeply elaborates on the elevated level of signaling mediators of mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis and the inflammasome. Although investigating these pathways' mechanisms has made significant progress, this review identifies areas where more study is especially required. It might lead to developing innovative therapeutics for tibial dyschondroplasia and other associated bone disorders, e.g., osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, where apoptosis and inflammasome are the significant pathways.

Chlorogenic acid suppresses miR-460a in the regulation of Bcl-2, causing interleukin-1ß reduction in thiram exposed chondrocytes via caspase-3/caspase-7 pathway.

BACKGROUND: Apoptosis is thought to be involved in all processes, including normal cell cycle, immune system, atrophy, embryonic development, and chemical-induced cellular damage. However, if the normal apoptotic process fails, the results might be disastrous, e.g., chondrocytes damage in tibial dyschondroplasia (TD). TD is a worldwide issue in the poultry sector due to thiram toxicity. Thiram (Tetramethyl thiuram disulfide) is a dithiocarbamate pesticide and fungicide commonly used in horticulture to treat grains meant for seed protection and preservation. PURPOSE: According to prior studies, chlorogenic acid (CGA) is becoming essential for regulating apoptosis. But still, the specific role of CGA in chondrocyte cells remains unclear. The present study explored the molecular mechanism of CGA on chondrocytes' apoptosis with B-cell lymphoma 2 signaling under the effect of miR-460a. METHODS: An in vivo and in vitro study was performed according to our previously developed methodology. Flow cytometry, western blotting, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and immunofluorescence assay were used to investigate the involvement of apoptosis and inflammasome related pathways. RESULTS: The CGA decreased the apoptosis rate with the deactivation of miR-460a, accompanied by the activation of Bcl-2. The high expression of miR-460a reduced the cell viability of chondrocytes in vitro and in vivo, that led to the interleukin-1ß production. While the apoptotic executioners (caspase-3 and caspase-7) acted upstream in miR-460a overexpressing cells, and its depletion downgraded these executioners. The CGA administrated cells negatively regulated miR-460a expression and thus indicating the deactivation of the apoptotic and inflammasome related pathways. CONCLUSION: Chlorogenic acid had a negative effect on miR-460a, setting off specific feedback to regulate apoptotic and inflammasome pathways, which might be a key feature for chondrocytes' survival.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection Causes Hyperglycemia in Cats.

Isolated reports of new-onset diabetes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have led researchers to hypothesize that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infects human exocrine and endocrine pancreatic cells ex vivo and in vivo. However, existing research lacks experimental evidence indicating that SARS-CoV-2 can infect pancreatic tissue. Here, we found that cats infected with a high dose of SARS-CoV-2 exhibited hyperglycemia. We also detected SARS-CoV-2 RNA in pancreatic tissues of these cats, and immunohistochemical staining revealed the presence of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (NP) in islet cells. SARS-CoV-2 NP and spike proteins were primarily detected in glucagon-positive cells, and most glucagon-positive cells expressed ACE2. Additionally, immune protection experiments conducted on cats showed that blood glucose levels of immunized cats did not increase postchallenge. Our data indicate cat pancreas as a SARS-CoV-2 target and suggest that the infection of glucagon-positive cells could contribute to the metabolic dysregulation observed in SARS-CoV-2-infected cats.

A serological survey of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in dogs in Wuhan.

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in an unprecedented public health crisis and economic losses. Although several cases of cats and dogs infected with SARS-CoV-2 have been reported during this outbreak, the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in dog and its transmission among other companion animals are still unknown. Here, we report an extensive serological study of SARS-CoV-2 infection in dogs in Wuhan and analyse the infection rates at different stages of the pandemic outbreak. A total of 946 dogs serum samples were collected from Wuhan, of which 36 samples were obtained prior to the pandemic outbreak. Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that 16 sera collected during the outbreak were detected as positive through the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2. Of these 16 sera, 10 exhibited measurable SARS-CoV-2-specific neutralizing antibodies whose titres ranged from 1/20 to 1/180. No serological cross-reactivity was detected between SARS-CoV-2 and canine coronavirus (CCV). Furthermore, with the effective control of the outbreak, a decrease in the SARS-CoV-2 seropositive dog number was observed. Our results suggest that SARS-CoV-2 has infected companion dogs during the outbreak, and that COVID-19 patient families have a higher risk of dog infection. Our findings deepen our understanding of the infection of SARS-CoV-2 in dogs and provide an important reference for prevention of COVID-19.

Facies-Controlled Geostatistical Porosity Model for Estimation of the Groundwater Potential Area in Hongliu Coalmine, Ordos Basin, China.

Accurate and reliable evaluations of potential groundwater areas are of significance in the hydrogeological assessments of coalfields because water inrush disasters may be caused by unclear groundwater potential. A three-dimensional geological model of porosity based on deterministic modeling and a facies-controlled method are used to determine the groundwater potential of the coal measure aquifer. The modeling processes are as follows: based on the interlayer and discontinuity (faults) data extracted from boreholes and geological maps, an integrated sequence framework model is developed. Using the results of sedimentary microfacies identification and the method of deterministic modeling, a sedimentary microfacies model is successfully established. Finally, based on facies-controlled and sequential Gaussian methods, an effective porosity model is established that can predict the groundwater potential. The predicted results show that sandstones sedimented in channel, point bar, and batture environments possess high effective porosity and strong groundwater potential; however, the sandstones sedimented in interdistributary bays, flood plains, and sand sheets possess low effective porosity. Model validation was performed based on the hydrological pumping test data collected from observation boreholes, drainage water inflow data from dewatered boreholes in the tunnel around workface, and the mine water inflow in tunnels and the workfaces. The validation analysis results show that the effective porosity and sedimentary facies were correlated with the actual flux. The predicted results are consistent with the actual flux data, validating the predicted model.

A serological survey of SARS-CoV-2 in cat in Wuhan.

COVID-19 is a new respiratory illness caused by SARS-CoV-2, and has constituted a global public health emergency. Cat is susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. However, the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in cats remains largely unknown. Here, we investigated the infection of SARS-CoV-2 in cats during COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan by serological detection methods. A cohort of serum samples were collected from cats in Wuhan, including 102 sampled after COVID-19 outbreak, and 39 prior to the outbreak. Fifteen sera collected after the outbreak were positive for the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 by indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Among them, 11 had SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies with a titer ranging from 1/20 to 1/1080. No serological cross-reactivity was detected between SARS-CoV-2 and type I or II feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV). In addition, we continuously monitored serum antibody dynamics of two positive cats every 10 days over 130 days. Their serum antibodies reached the peak at 10 days after first sampling, and declined to the limit of detection within 110 days. Our data demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 has infected cats in Wuhan during the outbreak and described serum antibody dynamics in cats, providing an important reference for clinical treatment and prevention of COVID-19.

Tibial growth plate vascularization is inhibited by the dithiocarbamate pesticide thiram in chickens: potential relationship to peripheral platelet counts alteration.

The widespread use of thiram has raised concerns for health and its toxic effects, but the underlying toxicity mechanism on platelets and bones is poorly defined. Here, we found a significant increase in the number of platelets in chickens with the thiram intake, due to the increased expression of thrombopoietin mRNA in the dysfunction liver. Furthermore, the decreased vascular distribution and cell death of chondrocytes in the tibial growth plates (TGPs) were observed, resulting in bone growth inhibition, which is associated with the abnormal activation of platelets leading to the extraordinary decrease of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and angiopoietin-1 protein were released and their corresponding receptors VEGFR2 and Tie-2 expressions were also reduced in the TGPs. Taken together, these findings revealed that thiram has an adverse effect on bones and platelets, which may have a high risk of thrombosis and osteoarthritis.

A reliable, simple and cost-efficient TLC-HPLC method for simultaneously determining florfenicol and florfenicol amine in porcine urine: application to residue surveillance.

Violative residues of florfenicol (FF) in porcine edible tissues pose a potential risk for human health. In this study, urine was selected as target matrix for routine residue monitoring of FF in pig, and a thin layer chromatography (TLC)-high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed for simultaneously determining FF and florfenicol amine (FFA) in porcine urine. The urine samples were extracted with ethyl acetate under alkaline environment. The extracts were enriched through evaporation, purified by TLC and analysed by HPLC at 225 nm. A Waters Symmetry C18 column was used for the separation of the two analytes. The mobile phase was acetonitrile-phosphate buffer mixtures (33.3: 66.7, v/v), and was pumped at 0.6 mL/min. The TLC-HPLC method was well validated and successfully applied to residue depletion study. Good analytical specificity was confirmed by the lack of interfering peaks at the retention times of FF and FFA. The standard curves showed good linearity (FF: y = 143064x - 1045.3, r= 0.9999; FFA: y = 275826x + 1888.8, r= 0.9999) over the range of 0.0625-8 µg/mL. The precision ranged from 0.83% to 11.66% and 2.19% to 8.75% for intraday and interday determination, respectively. The corresponding accuracy ranged from -13.38% to 10.78% and -12.15% to 7.14%, respectively. The limits of quantification (LOQs) for FF and FFA were 0.125 µg/mL. The residue depletion study showed that the concentrations of FF and FFA in urine were higher than those in edible tissues at three time points. This method was reliable, simple and cost efficient, and could be used to monitor FF residues in porcine edible tissue without slaughtering animals. TLC showed excellent purification efficiency and is expected to solve matrix interferences in veterinary drug residue analysis.

Zircon U-Pb geochronology of crystal tuff on Lingshan Island and its geological implications for magmatism, stratigraphic age and geological events.

Due to the unique location in the Ludong region, geochronological study of this area is essential for the understanding of the Cretaceous tectonic evolution of Eastern China. Sedimentary sequences interbedded with tuff layers unconformably overlay metamorphic rocks in the Sulu Orogen. This research presents a more reliable geochronological dataset of a tuff layer on Lingshan Island in Qingdao. A total of 103 valid age values from 216 zircon grains were obtained in three fresh tuff samples. Approximately 87% of these zircon ages are dated as the Early Cretaceous, and their peak ages shift from the Aptian stage to the Albian stage. The spatial-temporal relationship between the tuff and the Mesozoic igneous rocks of Eastern China indicate the impact of the Pacific Plate subduction beneath the Asian continent. Six Albian single detrital zircons have a weighted average age of 103.8 ± 1.4 Ma, with the youngest age (103.4 ± 1.4 Ma) constraining the maximum depositional age of the tuff layer. The age sequence of four sections on Lingshan Island is defined in this study: sections A and B belong to the Laiyang Group, and sections C and D are considered the Qingshan Group and were deposited in the Late Cretaceous. Two pre-Cretaceous zircon age peaks were also observed. These age peaks coincide with the magmatic and metamorphic ages preserved in the Sulu Orogen; thus, the Sulu Orogen is the provenance of the sedimentary rocks on Lingshan Island.