Release of perfluoroalkyl acids from sediments under the effects of the discharge ratio and flow flux at a Y-shaped confluence.

The sediments in riverine environments contain notably high concentrations of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), which may be released into the water body under different hydrodynamic forces, such as those occurring at Y-shaped confluences. The release of PFAAs may pose a significant risk to the surrounding aquatic ecosystems. However, our understanding of the release and transport of PFAAs from sediments at Y-shaped confluences remains unclear.

A controllable Y-shaped DNA structure assisted aptasensor for the simultaneous detection of AFB and OTA based on ARGET ATRP.

The development of a simple, rapid, and sensitive technology for the simultaneous detection of mycotoxins is of great significance in ensuring the safety of foods and drugs. Herein, a fluorescence aptasensor with high sensitivity and reproducibility for the simultaneous detection of aflatoxin B (AFB) and ochratoxin A (OTA) was developed. In this sensing system, AFB and OTA aptamers were co-immobilized on the surface of magnetic beads (MBs) to form a Y-shaped structure through the principle of complementary base pairing, and were used as recognition probes to specifically capture the target.

Identification of pollution source and prediction of water quality based on deep learning techniques.

Semi-arid rivers are particularly vulnerable and responsive to the impacts of industrial contamination. Prompt identification and projection of pollutant dynamics are crucial in the accidental pollution incidents, therefore required the timely informed and effective management strategies. In this study, we collected water quality monitoring data from a typical semi-arid river.

Microfluidic Fabrication of MicroRNA-Induced Hepatocyte-Like Cells/Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells-Laden Microgels for Acute Liver Failure Treatment.

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a critical life-threatening disease that occurs due to a rapid loss in hepatocyte functions. Hepatocyte transplantation holds great potential for ALF treatment, as it rapidly supports liver biofunctions and enhances liver regeneration. However, hepatocyte transplantation is still limited by renewable and ongoing cell sources.

Thalidomide for Recurrent Bleeding Due to Small-Intestinal Angiodysplasia.

Background: Recurrent bleeding from the small intestine accounts for 5 to 10% of cases of gastrointestinal bleeding and remains a therapeutic challenge. Thalidomide has been evaluated for the treatment of recurrent bleeding due to small-intestinal angiodysplasia (SIA), but confirmatory trials are lacking.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of thalidomide for the treatment of recurrent bleeding due to SIA.

Speckle-based optical encryption with complex-amplitude coding and deep learning.

We propose a speckle-based optical encryption scheme by using complex-amplitude coding and deep learning, which enables the encryption and decryption of complex-amplitude plaintext containing both amplitude and phase images. During encryption, the amplitude and phase images are modulated using a superpixel-based coding technique and feded into a digital micromirror device. After passing through a 4f system, the information undergoes disturbance modulation by a scattering medium, resulting in a diffracted speckle pattern serving as the ciphertext.

Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling of the active components of Shenkang injection in rats with chronic renal failure and its protective effect on damaged renal cells.

The study aimed to explore the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic alterations of the active components of Shenkang injection (i.e. hydroxy saffron yellow pigment A [HSYA], tanshinol, rheum emodin, and astragaloside IV) in rats with chronic renal failure (CRF), and establish a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model (PK-PD model) in order to provide a scientific and theoretical basis for the rational clinical use of Shenkang injection.

Insights into effects of discharge ratio on flow characteristics and pollutant transport in a Y-shaped open channel confluence with emergent rigid vegetation.

Turbulence generated within the vegetated confluence system is important for water quality and river management. In this study, we conducted a series of experiments to explore the extent to which emergent rigid vegetation in the confluence channel influences hydrodynamic characteristics and contaminant transport. First, a series of tests with increasing discharge ratios (from 0.

Changes in vegetation cover and its influencing factors in the inner Mongolia reach of the yellow river basin from 2001 to 2018.

Vegetation cover is one of the primary indicators of changes in ecosystems. China has implemented a few large-scale afforestation programs in the arid and semi-arid areas, including the Inner Mongolia Reach of the Yellow River Basin to prevent and control soil erosion. Although these programs have alleviated the environment problems in the region to a certain extent, the effects of the increasing vegetation greenness on the environments under climate change remain controversial for the argued large water consumption.

Vγ2 x PD-L1, a Bispecific Antibody Targeting Both the Vγ2 TCR and PD-L1, Improves the Anti-Tumor Response of Vγ2Vδ2 T Cell.

The potent cytotoxic property of Vγ2Vδ2 T cells makes them attractive for adoptive T cell transfer therapy. The transfusing of the expanded Vγ2Vδ2 T cells into cancer patients shows well-tolerated, but the clinical response rates are required to be improved, implying that there is still an unmet efficacy with low toxicity for this novel anti-tumor therapy. In this study, we test the anti-tumor efficacy of a Y-body-based bispecific antibody (bsAb) Vγ2 x PD-L1 that preferentially redirects Vγ2Vδ2 T cells to combat PD-L1 positive tumor cells.

Contribution of nonpoint source pollution from baseflow of a typical agriculture-intensive basin in northern China.

Baseflow is an essential component of total surface runoff that is widely considered one of the most influential factors regarding water quality via nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. Previously, many researchers and policy makers have directed their efforts toward surface runoff pollution, largely ignoring nutrient delivery via baseflow. Taking a typical agriculture-intensive basin of northern China as an example, this study explored the spatiotemporal characteristics of baseflow and pollution load in relation to NPS pollution.

Spatiotemporal variations in evapotranspiration and its influencing factors in the semiarid Hailar river basin, Northern China.

Evapotranspiration (ET) is a critical variable in the world's water cycle, and plays a significant role in estimating the impact of environmental change on the regional hydrothermal cycle. Moreover, as an essential of eco-hydrological processes, changes in ET may exceptionally impact the local climate and provide indicative information on the eco-system's functioning. The Hailar River Basin (HRB), located in northern China, is one of the most sensitive areas to climate warming.

Root-zone soil moisture estimation based on remote sensing data and deep learning.

Soil moisture in the root zone is the most important factor in eco-hydrological processes. Even though soil moisture can be obtained by remote sensing, limited to the top few centimeters (<5 cm). Researchers have attempted to estimate root-zone soil moisture using multiple regression, data assimilation, and data-driven methods.

Modification and upscaling of S-W model based on vertical distributions of soil moisture and vegetation root biomass.

Soil water is the dominant factor controlling evapotranspiration (ET) in arid and semi-arid regions. However, the widely used ET simulation models, such as the Shuttleworth-Wallace model (S-W model), are insufficient in simulating the direct influence of soil moisture (SM), especially in the root zone. Based on SM and ET field data, we found that the influence of SM on ET increased with soil depth in the grassland.

Whole-genome sequencing analysis of Y chromosome microdeletion: a case report.

The mechanisms by which Y chromosome microdeletions cause infertility have been well described; however, the therapeutic targets remain a challenge. Here, we used whole-genome sequencing to explore the mechanism of Y chromosome deletion and potential therapeutic targets in a patient with infertility. There were no abnormalities in the patient's medical history.

The role systematic lymphadenectomy plays in determining the survival outcome for advanced ovarian cancer patients: a meta-analysis.

Background: This study aims to evaluate the role systematic lymphadenectomy (SL) p l a y s in advanced ovarian cancer (OC) patients. A meta-analysis was done to compare the progression-free survival (PFS) rates and overall survival (OS) rates between SL and unsystematic lymphadenectomy (USL).

Methods: An extensive literature search from the dates of January 1, 1994, to today was performed.

Precise generation of dynamic biochemical signals by controlling the programmable pump in a Y-shaped microfluidic chip with a "christmas tree" inlet.

The generation of dynamic biochemical signals in a microfluidic control system is of importance for the study of the interaction between biological cells and their niches. However, most of microfluidic control systems are not able to provide dynamic biochemical signals with high precision and stability due to inherent mechanical vibrations caused by the actuators of the programmable pumps. In this paper, we propose a novel microfluidic feedback control system integrating an external feedback control system with a Y-shaped microfluidic chip with a "Christmas tree" inlet.

Y-Shaped Backbone-Rigidified Triangular DNA Scaffold-Directed Stepwise Movement of a DNAzyme Walker for Sensitive MicroRNA Imaging within Living Cells.

DNA as a programmable molecule shows great potential in a wide variety of applications, with the dynamic DNA nanodevices such as DNA motors and walkers holding the most promise in controlled functions for biosensing and nanomedicine. However, a motor or walker that consists of DNA exclusively has not been shown to function within cells because of its susceptibility to endogenous nuclease-mediated degradation. In this contribution, we demonstrate a Y-shaped backbone-rigidified triangular DNA scaffold (YTDS)-directed DNAzyme walker that functions inside living cells to detect microRNAs (miRNAs) with high sensitivity.

Vertical variations of soil water and its controlling factors based on the structural equation model in a semi-arid grassland.

Soil water content (SWC) of a vertical profile plays an important role in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum system through eco-hydrological process, which was controlled by multiple factors. Previous studies ignored soil water from a systematic perspective because of the lack of suitable methods to deal with interrelated factors. We developed a meta-model based on structural equation model (SEM) to identify the factors contributing to soil water, and the interactions among these factors, in a semi-arid grassland system.

Non-point source pollution risks in a drinking water protection zone based on remote sensing data embedded within a nutrient budget model.

A simple, transparent and reliable method for evaluating non-point source pollution (NPSP) risks to drinking water source areas lacking observational data is proposed herein. The NPSP risks are assessed by using nutrient budget models for total nitrogen and total phosphorus, making the best use of remote sensing and field survey data. We demonstrate its potential using a case study of the Chaihe Reservoir in northeastern China.

Pancreatic kallikrein protects against diabetic retinopathy in KK Cg-A/J and high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced mouse models of type 2 diabetes.

Aims/hypothesis: Many studies have shown that tissue kallikrein has effects on diabetic vascular complications such as nephropathy, cardiomyopathy and neuropathy, but its effects on diabetic retinopathy are not fully understood. Here, we investigated the retinoprotective role of exogenous pancreatic kallikrein and studied potential mechanisms of action.

Methods: We used KK Cg-A/J (KKAy) mice (a mouse model of spontaneous type 2 diabetes) and mice with high-fat diet/streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 2 diabetes as our models.

Nek7 Protects Telomeres from Oxidative DNA Damage by Phosphorylation and Stabilization of TRF1.

Telomeric repeat binding factor 1 (TRF1) is essential to the maintenance of telomere chromatin structure and integrity. However, how telomere integrity is maintained, especially in response to damage, remains poorly understood. Here, we identify Nek7, a member of the Never in Mitosis Gene A (NIMA) kinase family, as a regulator of telomere integrity.

Chad Genetic Diversity Reveals an African History Marked by Multiple Holocene Eurasian Migrations.

Understanding human genetic diversity in Africa is important for interpreting the evolution of all humans, yet vast regions in Africa, such as Chad, remain genetically poorly investigated. Here, we use genotype data from 480 samples from Chad, the Near East, and southern Europe, as well as whole-genome sequencing from 19 of them, to show that many populations today derive their genomes from ancient African-Eurasian admixtures. We found evidence of early Eurasian backflow to Africa in people speaking the unclassified isolate Laal language in southern Chad and estimate from linkage-disequilibrium decay that this occurred 4,750-7,200 years ago.

Morphology-Patterned Anisotropic Wetting Surface for Fluid Control and Gas-Liquid Separation in Microfluidics.

This article shows morphology-patterned stripes as a new platform for directing flow guidance of the fluid in microfluidic devices. Anisotropic (even unidirectional) spreading behavior due to anisotropic wetting of the underlying surface is observed after integrating morphology-patterned stripes with a Y-shaped microchannel. The anisotropic wetting flow of the fluid is influenced by the applied pressure, dimensions of the patterns, including the period and depth of the structure, and size of the channels.