Short-chain fatty acids,metabolites produced by the fermentation of dietary fiber by gut microbiota,have garnered significant attention due to their correlation with neurodegenerative diseases,particularly Parkinson’...Short-chain fatty acids,metabolites produced by the fermentation of dietary fiber by gut microbiota,have garnered significant attention due to their correlation with neurodegenerative diseases,particularly Parkinson’s disease.In this review,we summarize the changes in short-chain fatty acid levels and the abundance of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria in various samples from patients with Parkinson’s disease,highlighting the critical role of gut homeostasis imbalance in the pathogenesis and progression of the disease.Focusing on the nervous system,we discuss the molecular mechanisms by which short-chain fatty acids influence the homeostasis of both the enteric nervous system and the central nervous system.We identify key processes,including the activation of G protein-coupled receptors and the inhibition of histone deacetylases by short-chain fatty acids.Importantly,structural or functional disruptions in the enteric nervous system mediated by these fatty acids may lead to abnormalα-synuclein expression and gastrointestinal dysmotility,which could serve as an initiating event in Parkinson’s disease.Furthermore,we propose that short-chain fatty acids help establish communication between the enteric nervous system and the central nervous system via the vagal nerve,immune circulation,and endocrine signaling.This communication may shed light on their potential role in the transmission ofα-synuclein from the gut to the brain.Finally,we elucidate novel treatment strategies for Parkinson’s disease that target short-chain fatty acids and examine the challenges associated with translating short-chain fatty acid-based therapies into clinical practice.In conclusion,this review emphasizes the pivotal role of short-chain fatty acids in regulating gut-brain axis integrity and their significance in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease from the perspective of the nervous system.Moreover,it highlights the potential value of short-chain fatty acids in early intervention for Parkinson’s disease.Future research into the molecular mechanisms of short-chain fatty acids and their synergistic interactions with other gut metabolites is likely to advance the clinical translation of innovative short-chain fatty acid-based therapies for Parkinson’s disease.展开更多
Coronary artery systems are a kind of complex biological systems. Their chaotic phenomena can lead to serious health problems and illness development. From the perspective of engineering, this paper investigates the c...Coronary artery systems are a kind of complex biological systems. Their chaotic phenomena can lead to serious health problems and illness development. From the perspective of engineering, this paper investigates the chaos suppression problem. At first, nonlinear dynamics of coronary artery systems are presented. To suppress the chaotic phenomena, the method of derivative-integral terminal sliding mode control is adopted. Since coronary artery systems suffer from uncertainties, the technique of disturbance observer is taken into consideration. The stability of such a control system that integrates the derivative-integral terminal sliding mode controller and the disturbance observer is proven in the sense of Lyapunov. To verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed strategy, simulation results are illustrated in comparison with a benchmark.展开更多
BACKGROUND Through deeper understanding of targetable driver mutations in non-small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC)over the past years,some patients with driver mutations have benefited from the targeted molecular therapies.A...BACKGROUND Through deeper understanding of targetable driver mutations in non-small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC)over the past years,some patients with driver mutations have benefited from the targeted molecular therapies.Although the anaplastic lymphoma kinase and BRAF mutations are not frequent subtypes in NSCLC,the availability of several targeted-drugs has been confirmed through a series of clinical trials.But little is clear about the proper strategy in rare BRAF G469A mutation,not to mention co-exhibition of anaplastic lymphoma kinase and BRAF G469A mutations,which is extremely rare in NSCLC.CASE SUMMARY We present a patient to stage IVA lung adenocarcinoma with coexisting echinoderm microtubule associated protein like-4 rearrangement and BRAF G469A mutation.She received several targeted drugs with unintended resistance and suffered from unbearable adverse events.CONCLUSION Due to the rarity of co-mutations,the case not only enriches the limited literature on NSCLC harbouring BRAF G469A and echinoderm microtubule associated protein like-4 mutations,but also suggests the efficacy and safety of specific multiple-drug therapy in such patients.展开更多
In recent years,the discharge of urea-containing wastewater from industrial and domestic sources has posed a continuing threat to aquatic ecosystems and human health.In this context,the urea oxidation reaction(UOR)has...In recent years,the discharge of urea-containing wastewater from industrial and domestic sources has posed a continuing threat to aquatic ecosystems and human health.In this context,the urea oxidation reaction(UOR)has attracted significant attention due to its low thermodynamic potential of 0.37 V(vs.RHE).Compared with oxygen evolution reaction(OER),this reaction can significantly reduce the energy consumption of electrolysis while realizing wastewater treatment,and has the dual functions of hydrogen energy preparation and wastewater purification.However,UOR involves complex six-electron transfer and intermediate adsorption/desorption processes,resulting in slow reaction kinetics.Therefore,the development of economical and efficient catalysts has become a research focus,among which transition metal phosphides(TMPs)stand out due to their low cost,excellent activity and adjustable electronic structure.Compared with other non-noble metal systems,TMPs have unique electronic structure and surface properties that can adsorb and activate urea molecules more efficiently.However,there is still a lack of systematic reviews on TMP catalysts at present.Therefore,this review aims to deeply and systematically elaborate the design strategies of TMP catalysts and their applications in UOR,thoroughly discuss the current progress,challenges and future directions,and provide theoretical support and design ideas for the development of a new generation of efficient and stable UOR catalysts.展开更多
The off situ accurate reconstruction of the core neutron field is an important step in realizing real-time reactor monitoring.The existing off situ reconstruction method of the neutron field is only applicable to case...The off situ accurate reconstruction of the core neutron field is an important step in realizing real-time reactor monitoring.The existing off situ reconstruction method of the neutron field is only applicable to cases wherein a single region changes at a specified location of the core.However,when the neutron field changes are complex,the accurate identification of the individual changed regions becomes challenging,which seriously affects the accuracy and stability of the neutron field recon-struction.Therefore,this study proposed a dual-task hybrid network architecture(DTHNet)for off situ reconstruction of the core neutron field,which trained the outermost assembly reconstruction task and the core reconstruction task jointly such that the former could assist the latter in the reconstruction of the core neutron field under core complex changes.Furthermore,to exploit the characteristics of the ex-core detection signals,this study designed a global-local feature upsampling module that efficiently distributed the ex-core detection signals to each reconstruction unit to improve the accuracy and stability of reconstruction.Reconstruction experiments were performed on the simulation datasets of the CLEAR-I reactor to verify the accuracy and stability of the proposed method.The results showed that when the location uncertainty of a single region did not exceed nine and the number of multiple changed regions did not exceed five.Further,the reconstructed ARD was within 2%,RD_(max)was maintained within 17.5%,and the number of RD≥10%was maintained within 10.Furthermore,when the noise interference of the ex-core detection signals was within±2%,although the average number of RD≥10%increased to 16,the average ARD was still within in 2%,and the average RD_(max)was within 22%.Collectively,these results show that,theoretically,the DTHNet can accurately and stably reconstruct most of the neutron field under certain complex core changes.展开更多
Background: Tumor angiogenesis is related to solid tumor occurrence. Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 13 (USP13) is a deubiquitinating enzyme with a pivotal effect on tumor proliferation, metastasis, and tumorigenesis. No...Background: Tumor angiogenesis is related to solid tumor occurrence. Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 13 (USP13) is a deubiquitinating enzyme with a pivotal effect on tumor proliferation, metastasis, and tumorigenesis. Nonetheless, its effect on colorectal cancer (CRC) angiogenesis remains poorly understood. Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and CRC cells were cultivated, followed by USP13 knockdown/overexpression using shRNA lentiviral vectors or plasmids. Conditioned media (CM) from treated CRC cells were collected to assess HUVEC migration, invasion, and tube formation. Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) overexpression and recombinant vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) rescue experiments were performed. Molecular mechanisms were analyzed via Western blot (PTEN, p-AKT, VEGFA), co-immunoprecipitation (PTEN ubiquitination), and in vivo nude mice study to detect the role of USP13 in tumor angiogenesis. Results: USP13 expression in CRC cells is downregulated and negatively related to platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31) expression. Furthermore, the conditioned medium from CRC cells with USP13 knockdown significantly promoted HUVEC migration, invasion, and tube formation, while USP13 overexpression exerted the opposite effect. Additionally, USP13 overexpression significantly increased PTEN expression while decreasing protein kinase B (AKT) phosphorylation levels. Concurrently, USP13 overexpression significantly reduced PTEN ubiquitination, whereas USP13 knockdown remarkably increased this modification. Overexpression of PTEN in sh-USP13 CRC cells decreased the expression levels of VEGFA and p-AKT. USP13 also inhibited tumor angiogenesis through downregulating VEGFA, and recombinant VEGFA blocked the inhibition of the conditioned medium from USP13-overexpressing CRC cells against HUVEC angiogenesis in vivo. Conclusions: USP13 downregulated VEGFA and inhibited tumor angiogenesis via the PTEN-AKT pathway.展开更多
The survival strategy of plants is to adjust their functional traits to adapt to the environment.However,these traits and survival strategies of evergreen broad-leaved forest species are not well understood.This study...The survival strategy of plants is to adjust their functional traits to adapt to the environment.However,these traits and survival strategies of evergreen broad-leaved forest species are not well understood.This study examined 10 leaf functional traits(LFTs)of 70 common plant species in an evergreen broad-leaved forest in Huangshan Mountain to decipher their adaptive strategies.The phylogenetic signals of these LFTs were assessed and phylogenetically independent contrasts(PIC)and correlation analyses were carried out.LFTs were analyzed to determine their CSR(C:competitor,S:stress-tolerator,R:ruderal)strategies.The results show that plant species exhibit different leaf functional traits and ecological strategies(nine strategies were identified;the most abundant were S/CS and S/CSR strategies).Some traits showed significant phylogenetic signals,indicating the effect of phylogeny on LFTs to an extent.Trait variations among species suggest distinct adaptation strategies to environmental changes.The study species were mainly clustered on the C-S strategy axis,with a high S component.Species leaning toward the C-strategy end(e.g.,deciduous species),favored a resource acquisition strategy characterized by higher specific leaf area(SLA),greater nutrient contents(N and P),lower leaf dry matter content(LDMC),and reduced nutrient utilization efficiency(C:N and C:P).Conversely,species closer to the S-strategy end(e.g.,evergreen species)usually adopted a resource conservative strategy with trait combinations contrary to those of C-strategy species.Overall,this study corroborated the applicability of the CSR strategy at a local scale and provides insights into the varied trait combinations and ecological strategies employed by plant species to adapt to their environment.These findings contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in biodiversity maintenance.展开更多
Infrared unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)target detection presents significant challenges due to the inter-play between small targets and complex backgrounds.Traditional methods,while effective in controlled environments,...Infrared unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)target detection presents significant challenges due to the inter-play between small targets and complex backgrounds.Traditional methods,while effective in controlled environments,often fail in scenarios involving long-range targets,high noise levels,or intricate backgrounds,highlighting the need for more robust approaches.To address these challenges,we propose a novel three-stage UAV segmentation framework that leverages uncertainty quantification to enhance target saliency.This framework incorporates a Bayesian convolutional neural network capable of generating both segmentation maps and probabilistic uncertainty maps.By utilizing uncer-tainty predictions,our method refines segmentation outcomes,achieving superior detection accuracy.Notably,this marks the first application of uncertainty modeling within the context of infrared UAV target detection.Experimental evaluations on three publicly available infrared UAV datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework.The results reveal significant improvements in both detection precision and robustness when compared to state-of-the-art deep learning models.Our approach also extends the capabilities of encoder-decoder convolutional neural networks by introducing uncertainty modeling,enabling the network to better handle the challenges posed by small targets and complex environmental conditions.By bridging the gap between theoretical uncertainty modeling and practical detection tasks,our work offers a new perspective on enhancing model interpretability and performance.The codes of this work are available openly at https://github.com/general-learner/UQ_Anti_UAV(acceessed on 11 November 2024).展开更多
The minimum cost of capacity expansion for time-limited transportation problem on-demand (MCCETLTPD) is to find such a practicable capacity expansion transportation scheme satisfying the time-limited T along with all ...The minimum cost of capacity expansion for time-limited transportation problem on-demand (MCCETLTPD) is to find such a practicable capacity expansion transportation scheme satisfying the time-limited T along with all origins’ supply and all destinations’ demands as well as the expanding cost is minimum. Actually, MCCETLTPD is a balance transportation problem and a variant problem of minimum cost maximum flow problem. In this paper, by creating a mathematical model and constructing a network with lower and upper arc capacities, MCCETLTPD is transformed into searching feasible flow in the constructed network, and consequently, an algorithm MCCETLTPD-A is developed as MCCETLTPD’s solution method basing minimum cost maximum flow algorithm. Computational study validates that the MCCETLTPD-A algorithm is an efficient approach to solving the MCCETLTPD.展开更多
Bacteriophages are viruses that attack bacteria and kill them through the lytic replication cycle. Many studies have reported that phages are more specific to bacteria than antibiotics are; thus, phage therapy has man...Bacteriophages are viruses that attack bacteria and kill them through the lytic replication cycle. Many studies have reported that phages are more specific to bacteria than antibiotics are; thus, phage therapy has many poten- tial applications in human medicine, with the advantage of having few side effects (Keen, 2012). Investigating the mechanisms of bacteria-killing phages will therefore aid in the development of antibacterial drugs.展开更多
Recent studies have reported that induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from mice and humans can differentiate into primordial germ cells. However, whether iPS cells are capable of producing male germ cells is not kn...Recent studies have reported that induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from mice and humans can differentiate into primordial germ cells. However, whether iPS cells are capable of producing male germ cells is not known. The objective of this study was to investigate the differentiation potential of mouse iPS cells into spermatogonial stem cells and late-stage male germ cells. We used an approach that combines in vitrodifferentiation and in vivotransplantation. Embryoid bodies (EBs) were obtained from iPS cells using leukaemia inhibitor factor (LIF)-free medium. Quantitative PCR revealed a decrease in Oct4 expression and an increase in StraSand Vasa mRNA in the EBs derived from iPS cells, iPS cell-derived EBs were induced by retinoic acid to differentiate into spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), as evidenced by their expression of VASA, as well as CDH1 and GFRal, which are markers of SSCs. Furthermore, these germ cells derived from iPS cells were transplanted into recipient testes of mice that had been pre-treated with busulfan. Notably, iPS cell-derived SSCs were able to differentiate into male germ cells ranging from spermatogonia to round spermatids, as shown by VASA and SCP3 expression. This study demonstrates that iPS cells have the potential to differentiate into late-stage male germ cells. The derivation of male germ cells from iPS cells has potential applications in the treatment of male infertility and provides a model for uncovering the molecular mechanisms underlying male germ cell development.展开更多
Objective: To compare the clinical outcomes of minimally invasive right subaxillary vertical thoracotomy and traditional median stemotomy through right atrium in treatment of common congenital heart diseases. Methods:...Objective: To compare the clinical outcomes of minimally invasive right subaxillary vertical thoracotomy and traditional median stemotomy through right atrium in treatment of common congenital heart diseases. Methods: Clinical data of 59 cases of common congenital heart diseases treated with minimally invasive right axillary vertical thoracotomy from May, 2011 to February, 2013 and 77 cases of same diseases with traditional median stemotomy in the past three years were retrospectively analyzed, including atrial septal defect, membranous ventricular septal defect and partial endocardial cushion defect. The results were compared from the two groups, including the time for operation and cardiopulmonary bypass, amount of blood transfusion, postoperative drainage, ventilation time, hospital stay, and prognosis. Results: No severe complications happened in both groups, like deaths or secondary surgery caused by bleeding. No significant differences were in CPB time and postoperative ventilator time between groups (P>0.05), while for all of the operative time, the length of incision, postoperative drainage and hospital stay, minimally invasive right axillary vertical thoracotomy was superior to median stemotomy, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). In six month followup after operation, no complications of residual deformity and pericardial effusion were found in both groups by doing echocardiography, but mild pectus carinatum was found in 8 patients in the traditional median sternotomy group (traditional group), whereas patients in another group were well recovered. Conclusions: Minimally invasive right subaxillary vertical thoracotomy for common congenital heart diseases is as safe as traditional median stemotomy, without the increasing incidence of postoperative complications. Additionally, compared with traditional median stemotomy, minimally - invasive right subaxillary vertical thoracotomy is better in the aspects of hidden incision, appearance, and postoperative recovery.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the effects of tectorigenin on human hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)HepG2 cells.METHODS:Tectorigenin,one of the main components of rhizome of Iris tectorum,was prepared by simple methods,such as extra...AIM:To investigate the effects of tectorigenin on human hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)HepG2 cells.METHODS:Tectorigenin,one of the main components of rhizome of Iris tectorum,was prepared by simple methods,such as extraction,filtration,concentration,precipitation and recrystallization.HepG2 cells were incubated with tectorigenin at different concentrations,and their viability was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay.Apoptosis was detected by morphological observation of nuclear change,agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA ladder,and flow cytometry with Hoechst 33342,Annexin V-EGFP and propidium iodide staining.Generation of reactive oxygen species was quantified using DCFH-DA.Intracellular Ca2+was monitored by Fura 2-AM.Mitochondrial membrane potential was monitored using Rhodamine 123.Release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol was detected by Western blotting.Activities of caspase-3,-8 and-9 were investigated by Caspase Activity Assay Kit.RESULTS:The viability of HepG2 cells treated by tectorigenin decreased in a concentration-and timedependent manner.The concentration that reduced the number of viable HepG2 cells by 50%(IC50)after 12,24 and 48 h of incubation was 35.72 mg/L,21.19 mg/L and 11.06 mg/L,respectively.However,treatment with tectorigenin at 20 mg/L resulted in a very slight cytotoxicity to L02 cells after incubation for 12,24 or 48 h.Tectorigenin at a concentration of 20 mg/L greatly inhibited the viability of HepG2 cells and induced the condensation of chromatin and fragmentation of nuclei.Tectorigenin induced apoptosis of HepG2 cells in a time-and dose-dependent manner.Compared with the viability rate,induction of apoptosis was the main mechanism of the anti-proliferation effect of tectorigenin in HepG2 cells.Furthermore,tectorigenininduced apoptosis of HepG2 cells was associated with the generation of reactive oxygen species,increased intracellular[Ca2+]i,loss of mitochondrial membrane potential,translocation of cytochrome c,and activation of caspase-9 and-3.CONCLUSION:Tectorigenin induces apoptosis of HepG2 cells mainly via mitochondrial-mediated pathway,and produces a slight cytotoxicity to L02 cells.展开更多
The features of 30-60-day convection oscillations over the subtropical western North Pacific (WNP) were investigated, along with the degree of tropical-subtropical linkage between the oscillations over the WNP durin...The features of 30-60-day convection oscillations over the subtropical western North Pacific (WNP) were investigated, along with the degree of tropical-subtropical linkage between the oscillations over the WNP during summer 1998. It was found that 30-60-day oscillations were extremely strong in that summer over both the subtropical and tro]~ical WNP, providing a unique opportunity to study the behavior of subtropical oscillations and their relationship to tropical oscillations. Further analyses indicated that 30-60-day oscillations propagate westwards over the subtropical WNP and reach eastern China. In addition, 30-60-day oscillations in the subtropics are affected by those over the South China Sea (SCS) and tropical WNP through two mechanisms: (1) direct propagation from the tropics into the subtropics; and (2) a seesaw pattern between the tropics and subtropics, with the latter being predominant.展开更多
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China,No.2021YFC2501200(to PC).
文摘Short-chain fatty acids,metabolites produced by the fermentation of dietary fiber by gut microbiota,have garnered significant attention due to their correlation with neurodegenerative diseases,particularly Parkinson’s disease.In this review,we summarize the changes in short-chain fatty acid levels and the abundance of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria in various samples from patients with Parkinson’s disease,highlighting the critical role of gut homeostasis imbalance in the pathogenesis and progression of the disease.Focusing on the nervous system,we discuss the molecular mechanisms by which short-chain fatty acids influence the homeostasis of both the enteric nervous system and the central nervous system.We identify key processes,including the activation of G protein-coupled receptors and the inhibition of histone deacetylases by short-chain fatty acids.Importantly,structural or functional disruptions in the enteric nervous system mediated by these fatty acids may lead to abnormalα-synuclein expression and gastrointestinal dysmotility,which could serve as an initiating event in Parkinson’s disease.Furthermore,we propose that short-chain fatty acids help establish communication between the enteric nervous system and the central nervous system via the vagal nerve,immune circulation,and endocrine signaling.This communication may shed light on their potential role in the transmission ofα-synuclein from the gut to the brain.Finally,we elucidate novel treatment strategies for Parkinson’s disease that target short-chain fatty acids and examine the challenges associated with translating short-chain fatty acid-based therapies into clinical practice.In conclusion,this review emphasizes the pivotal role of short-chain fatty acids in regulating gut-brain axis integrity and their significance in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease from the perspective of the nervous system.Moreover,it highlights the potential value of short-chain fatty acids in early intervention for Parkinson’s disease.Future research into the molecular mechanisms of short-chain fatty acids and their synergistic interactions with other gut metabolites is likely to advance the clinical translation of innovative short-chain fatty acid-based therapies for Parkinson’s disease.
基金supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(2018MS29)
文摘Coronary artery systems are a kind of complex biological systems. Their chaotic phenomena can lead to serious health problems and illness development. From the perspective of engineering, this paper investigates the chaos suppression problem. At first, nonlinear dynamics of coronary artery systems are presented. To suppress the chaotic phenomena, the method of derivative-integral terminal sliding mode control is adopted. Since coronary artery systems suffer from uncertainties, the technique of disturbance observer is taken into consideration. The stability of such a control system that integrates the derivative-integral terminal sliding mode controller and the disturbance observer is proven in the sense of Lyapunov. To verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed strategy, simulation results are illustrated in comparison with a benchmark.
基金Supported by the Medical Education Collaborative Innovation Fund of Jiangsu University,No.JDY2022015。
文摘BACKGROUND Through deeper understanding of targetable driver mutations in non-small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC)over the past years,some patients with driver mutations have benefited from the targeted molecular therapies.Although the anaplastic lymphoma kinase and BRAF mutations are not frequent subtypes in NSCLC,the availability of several targeted-drugs has been confirmed through a series of clinical trials.But little is clear about the proper strategy in rare BRAF G469A mutation,not to mention co-exhibition of anaplastic lymphoma kinase and BRAF G469A mutations,which is extremely rare in NSCLC.CASE SUMMARY We present a patient to stage IVA lung adenocarcinoma with coexisting echinoderm microtubule associated protein like-4 rearrangement and BRAF G469A mutation.She received several targeted drugs with unintended resistance and suffered from unbearable adverse events.CONCLUSION Due to the rarity of co-mutations,the case not only enriches the limited literature on NSCLC harbouring BRAF G469A and echinoderm microtubule associated protein like-4 mutations,but also suggests the efficacy and safety of specific multiple-drug therapy in such patients.
基金financially supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region(2022D01E38).
文摘In recent years,the discharge of urea-containing wastewater from industrial and domestic sources has posed a continuing threat to aquatic ecosystems and human health.In this context,the urea oxidation reaction(UOR)has attracted significant attention due to its low thermodynamic potential of 0.37 V(vs.RHE).Compared with oxygen evolution reaction(OER),this reaction can significantly reduce the energy consumption of electrolysis while realizing wastewater treatment,and has the dual functions of hydrogen energy preparation and wastewater purification.However,UOR involves complex six-electron transfer and intermediate adsorption/desorption processes,resulting in slow reaction kinetics.Therefore,the development of economical and efficient catalysts has become a research focus,among which transition metal phosphides(TMPs)stand out due to their low cost,excellent activity and adjustable electronic structure.Compared with other non-noble metal systems,TMPs have unique electronic structure and surface properties that can adsorb and activate urea molecules more efficiently.However,there is still a lack of systematic reviews on TMP catalysts at present.Therefore,this review aims to deeply and systematically elaborate the design strategies of TMP catalysts and their applications in UOR,thoroughly discuss the current progress,challenges and future directions,and provide theoretical support and design ideas for the development of a new generation of efficient and stable UOR catalysts.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.12305344)the 2023 Anhui university research project of China(No.2023AH052179).
文摘The off situ accurate reconstruction of the core neutron field is an important step in realizing real-time reactor monitoring.The existing off situ reconstruction method of the neutron field is only applicable to cases wherein a single region changes at a specified location of the core.However,when the neutron field changes are complex,the accurate identification of the individual changed regions becomes challenging,which seriously affects the accuracy and stability of the neutron field recon-struction.Therefore,this study proposed a dual-task hybrid network architecture(DTHNet)for off situ reconstruction of the core neutron field,which trained the outermost assembly reconstruction task and the core reconstruction task jointly such that the former could assist the latter in the reconstruction of the core neutron field under core complex changes.Furthermore,to exploit the characteristics of the ex-core detection signals,this study designed a global-local feature upsampling module that efficiently distributed the ex-core detection signals to each reconstruction unit to improve the accuracy and stability of reconstruction.Reconstruction experiments were performed on the simulation datasets of the CLEAR-I reactor to verify the accuracy and stability of the proposed method.The results showed that when the location uncertainty of a single region did not exceed nine and the number of multiple changed regions did not exceed five.Further,the reconstructed ARD was within 2%,RD_(max)was maintained within 17.5%,and the number of RD≥10%was maintained within 10.Furthermore,when the noise interference of the ex-core detection signals was within±2%,although the average number of RD≥10%increased to 16,the average ARD was still within in 2%,and the average RD_(max)was within 22%.Collectively,these results show that,theoretically,the DTHNet can accurately and stably reconstruct most of the neutron field under certain complex core changes.
基金supported by the Clinical Frontier Technology Program of the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University,China(No.JNU1AF-CFTP-2022-a01223)Guangzhou Science and Technology Plan City-School Joint Funding Project(2024A03J0825)+2 种基金Science and Technology Projects in Guangzhou(202201020566)Medical Joint Fund of Jinan University(YXJC2022005)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(21623319).
文摘Background: Tumor angiogenesis is related to solid tumor occurrence. Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 13 (USP13) is a deubiquitinating enzyme with a pivotal effect on tumor proliferation, metastasis, and tumorigenesis. Nonetheless, its effect on colorectal cancer (CRC) angiogenesis remains poorly understood. Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and CRC cells were cultivated, followed by USP13 knockdown/overexpression using shRNA lentiviral vectors or plasmids. Conditioned media (CM) from treated CRC cells were collected to assess HUVEC migration, invasion, and tube formation. Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) overexpression and recombinant vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) rescue experiments were performed. Molecular mechanisms were analyzed via Western blot (PTEN, p-AKT, VEGFA), co-immunoprecipitation (PTEN ubiquitination), and in vivo nude mice study to detect the role of USP13 in tumor angiogenesis. Results: USP13 expression in CRC cells is downregulated and negatively related to platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31) expression. Furthermore, the conditioned medium from CRC cells with USP13 knockdown significantly promoted HUVEC migration, invasion, and tube formation, while USP13 overexpression exerted the opposite effect. Additionally, USP13 overexpression significantly increased PTEN expression while decreasing protein kinase B (AKT) phosphorylation levels. Concurrently, USP13 overexpression significantly reduced PTEN ubiquitination, whereas USP13 knockdown remarkably increased this modification. Overexpression of PTEN in sh-USP13 CRC cells decreased the expression levels of VEGFA and p-AKT. USP13 also inhibited tumor angiogenesis through downregulating VEGFA, and recombinant VEGFA blocked the inhibition of the conditioned medium from USP13-overexpressing CRC cells against HUVEC angiogenesis in vivo. Conclusions: USP13 downregulated VEGFA and inhibited tumor angiogenesis via the PTEN-AKT pathway.
基金supported by the Special Foundation for National Science and Technology Basic Resources Investigation of China(2019FY202300)the Biodiversity Survey,Observation and Assessment Project of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment(2110404).
文摘The survival strategy of plants is to adjust their functional traits to adapt to the environment.However,these traits and survival strategies of evergreen broad-leaved forest species are not well understood.This study examined 10 leaf functional traits(LFTs)of 70 common plant species in an evergreen broad-leaved forest in Huangshan Mountain to decipher their adaptive strategies.The phylogenetic signals of these LFTs were assessed and phylogenetically independent contrasts(PIC)and correlation analyses were carried out.LFTs were analyzed to determine their CSR(C:competitor,S:stress-tolerator,R:ruderal)strategies.The results show that plant species exhibit different leaf functional traits and ecological strategies(nine strategies were identified;the most abundant were S/CS and S/CSR strategies).Some traits showed significant phylogenetic signals,indicating the effect of phylogeny on LFTs to an extent.Trait variations among species suggest distinct adaptation strategies to environmental changes.The study species were mainly clustered on the C-S strategy axis,with a high S component.Species leaning toward the C-strategy end(e.g.,deciduous species),favored a resource acquisition strategy characterized by higher specific leaf area(SLA),greater nutrient contents(N and P),lower leaf dry matter content(LDMC),and reduced nutrient utilization efficiency(C:N and C:P).Conversely,species closer to the S-strategy end(e.g.,evergreen species)usually adopted a resource conservative strategy with trait combinations contrary to those of C-strategy species.Overall,this study corroborated the applicability of the CSR strategy at a local scale and provides insights into the varied trait combinations and ecological strategies employed by plant species to adapt to their environment.These findings contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in biodiversity maintenance.
基金supported by the Science and Technology Project of Sichuan(Grant No.2024ZHCG0170)the National Key Research and Development Program of China,“Key Technologies for Instrumentation and Control System Program Security Based on Blockchain”(Project No.2024YFB3311000)+1 种基金States Key Laboratory of Air Traffic Management System(Grant No.SKLATM202202)the Chengdu Science and Technology Project(Grant No.2022-YF05-00068-SN).
文摘Infrared unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)target detection presents significant challenges due to the inter-play between small targets and complex backgrounds.Traditional methods,while effective in controlled environments,often fail in scenarios involving long-range targets,high noise levels,or intricate backgrounds,highlighting the need for more robust approaches.To address these challenges,we propose a novel three-stage UAV segmentation framework that leverages uncertainty quantification to enhance target saliency.This framework incorporates a Bayesian convolutional neural network capable of generating both segmentation maps and probabilistic uncertainty maps.By utilizing uncer-tainty predictions,our method refines segmentation outcomes,achieving superior detection accuracy.Notably,this marks the first application of uncertainty modeling within the context of infrared UAV target detection.Experimental evaluations on three publicly available infrared UAV datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework.The results reveal significant improvements in both detection precision and robustness when compared to state-of-the-art deep learning models.Our approach also extends the capabilities of encoder-decoder convolutional neural networks by introducing uncertainty modeling,enabling the network to better handle the challenges posed by small targets and complex environmental conditions.By bridging the gap between theoretical uncertainty modeling and practical detection tasks,our work offers a new perspective on enhancing model interpretability and performance.The codes of this work are available openly at https://github.com/general-learner/UQ_Anti_UAV(acceessed on 11 November 2024).
文摘The minimum cost of capacity expansion for time-limited transportation problem on-demand (MCCETLTPD) is to find such a practicable capacity expansion transportation scheme satisfying the time-limited T along with all origins’ supply and all destinations’ demands as well as the expanding cost is minimum. Actually, MCCETLTPD is a balance transportation problem and a variant problem of minimum cost maximum flow problem. In this paper, by creating a mathematical model and constructing a network with lower and upper arc capacities, MCCETLTPD is transformed into searching feasible flow in the constructed network, and consequently, an algorithm MCCETLTPD-A is developed as MCCETLTPD’s solution method basing minimum cost maximum flow algorithm. Computational study validates that the MCCETLTPD-A algorithm is an efficient approach to solving the MCCETLTPD.
基金supported by the National Nature Scientific Foundation of China(No.61301260)the Applied Basic Research Program of Sichuan Province(No.2015JY0100 and LZ-LY-45)+3 种基金the Scientific Research Foundation of the Education Department of Sichuan Province(11ZB122)the Nature Scientific Foundation of Hebei Province(No.C2013209105)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China(No.ZYGX2015J144,ZYGX2015Z006)Program for the Top Young Innovative Talents of Higher Learning Institutions of Hebei Province(No.BJ2014028)
文摘Bacteriophages are viruses that attack bacteria and kill them through the lytic replication cycle. Many studies have reported that phages are more specific to bacteria than antibiotics are; thus, phage therapy has many poten- tial applications in human medicine, with the advantage of having few side effects (Keen, 2012). Investigating the mechanisms of bacteria-killing phages will therefore aid in the development of antibacterial drugs.
文摘Recent studies have reported that induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from mice and humans can differentiate into primordial germ cells. However, whether iPS cells are capable of producing male germ cells is not known. The objective of this study was to investigate the differentiation potential of mouse iPS cells into spermatogonial stem cells and late-stage male germ cells. We used an approach that combines in vitrodifferentiation and in vivotransplantation. Embryoid bodies (EBs) were obtained from iPS cells using leukaemia inhibitor factor (LIF)-free medium. Quantitative PCR revealed a decrease in Oct4 expression and an increase in StraSand Vasa mRNA in the EBs derived from iPS cells, iPS cell-derived EBs were induced by retinoic acid to differentiate into spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), as evidenced by their expression of VASA, as well as CDH1 and GFRal, which are markers of SSCs. Furthermore, these germ cells derived from iPS cells were transplanted into recipient testes of mice that had been pre-treated with busulfan. Notably, iPS cell-derived SSCs were able to differentiate into male germ cells ranging from spermatogonia to round spermatids, as shown by VASA and SCP3 expression. This study demonstrates that iPS cells have the potential to differentiate into late-stage male germ cells. The derivation of male germ cells from iPS cells has potential applications in the treatment of male infertility and provides a model for uncovering the molecular mechanisms underlying male germ cell development.
基金supported by college medical journal clinicalspecial funds(11321587)
文摘Objective: To compare the clinical outcomes of minimally invasive right subaxillary vertical thoracotomy and traditional median stemotomy through right atrium in treatment of common congenital heart diseases. Methods: Clinical data of 59 cases of common congenital heart diseases treated with minimally invasive right axillary vertical thoracotomy from May, 2011 to February, 2013 and 77 cases of same diseases with traditional median stemotomy in the past three years were retrospectively analyzed, including atrial septal defect, membranous ventricular septal defect and partial endocardial cushion defect. The results were compared from the two groups, including the time for operation and cardiopulmonary bypass, amount of blood transfusion, postoperative drainage, ventilation time, hospital stay, and prognosis. Results: No severe complications happened in both groups, like deaths or secondary surgery caused by bleeding. No significant differences were in CPB time and postoperative ventilator time between groups (P>0.05), while for all of the operative time, the length of incision, postoperative drainage and hospital stay, minimally invasive right axillary vertical thoracotomy was superior to median stemotomy, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). In six month followup after operation, no complications of residual deformity and pericardial effusion were found in both groups by doing echocardiography, but mild pectus carinatum was found in 8 patients in the traditional median sternotomy group (traditional group), whereas patients in another group were well recovered. Conclusions: Minimally invasive right subaxillary vertical thoracotomy for common congenital heart diseases is as safe as traditional median stemotomy, without the increasing incidence of postoperative complications. Additionally, compared with traditional median stemotomy, minimally - invasive right subaxillary vertical thoracotomy is better in the aspects of hidden incision, appearance, and postoperative recovery.
基金Supported by The National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.NSFC30801417Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province,No.BK2009010 and BK2008267+1 种基金Doctoral Fund of Ministry of Education of China,No.RFDP200802841004Science Fund of Ministry of Health of China,No.LW201008
文摘AIM:To investigate the effects of tectorigenin on human hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)HepG2 cells.METHODS:Tectorigenin,one of the main components of rhizome of Iris tectorum,was prepared by simple methods,such as extraction,filtration,concentration,precipitation and recrystallization.HepG2 cells were incubated with tectorigenin at different concentrations,and their viability was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay.Apoptosis was detected by morphological observation of nuclear change,agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA ladder,and flow cytometry with Hoechst 33342,Annexin V-EGFP and propidium iodide staining.Generation of reactive oxygen species was quantified using DCFH-DA.Intracellular Ca2+was monitored by Fura 2-AM.Mitochondrial membrane potential was monitored using Rhodamine 123.Release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol was detected by Western blotting.Activities of caspase-3,-8 and-9 were investigated by Caspase Activity Assay Kit.RESULTS:The viability of HepG2 cells treated by tectorigenin decreased in a concentration-and timedependent manner.The concentration that reduced the number of viable HepG2 cells by 50%(IC50)after 12,24 and 48 h of incubation was 35.72 mg/L,21.19 mg/L and 11.06 mg/L,respectively.However,treatment with tectorigenin at 20 mg/L resulted in a very slight cytotoxicity to L02 cells after incubation for 12,24 or 48 h.Tectorigenin at a concentration of 20 mg/L greatly inhibited the viability of HepG2 cells and induced the condensation of chromatin and fragmentation of nuclei.Tectorigenin induced apoptosis of HepG2 cells in a time-and dose-dependent manner.Compared with the viability rate,induction of apoptosis was the main mechanism of the anti-proliferation effect of tectorigenin in HepG2 cells.Furthermore,tectorigenininduced apoptosis of HepG2 cells was associated with the generation of reactive oxygen species,increased intracellular[Ca2+]i,loss of mitochondrial membrane potential,translocation of cytochrome c,and activation of caspase-9 and-3.CONCLUSION:Tectorigenin induces apoptosis of HepG2 cells mainly via mitochondrial-mediated pathway,and produces a slight cytotoxicity to L02 cells.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China(Grant No2010CB950403)by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.U0933603)
文摘The features of 30-60-day convection oscillations over the subtropical western North Pacific (WNP) were investigated, along with the degree of tropical-subtropical linkage between the oscillations over the WNP during summer 1998. It was found that 30-60-day oscillations were extremely strong in that summer over both the subtropical and tro]~ical WNP, providing a unique opportunity to study the behavior of subtropical oscillations and their relationship to tropical oscillations. Further analyses indicated that 30-60-day oscillations propagate westwards over the subtropical WNP and reach eastern China. In addition, 30-60-day oscillations in the subtropics are affected by those over the South China Sea (SCS) and tropical WNP through two mechanisms: (1) direct propagation from the tropics into the subtropics; and (2) a seesaw pattern between the tropics and subtropics, with the latter being predominant.